Inside OakMega | A Space Where Trust Keeps Growing: 1 on 1 Meetings

A fast-growing company runs on meetings: project meetings, status meetings, product meetings, sales meetings…

But at OakMega, we deliberately protect one kind of conversation that isn't driven by deadlines or performance: 1 on 1 meetings.

Why Do We Need 1 on 1 Meetings?

A 1 on 1 isn't micromanagement, and it isn't a performance review. In a highly autonomous, remote-friendly environment, it's where we align expectations, share ideas, and adjust our pace—a dedicated space reserved for managers and their teammates.

How Do We Run 1 on 1 Meetings at OakMega?

Every team does 1 on 1s a little differently. Some meet quarterly, others weekly. Some prefer a quiet chat in a meeting room, some like to talk while walking, and others swap ideas over a meal. Some conversations focus on growth; others center on work rhythm and how collaboration is going.

Whatever the format, we've found that everyone shares a few core principles:

• Focus on personal growth and expectations
  A 1 on 1 helps each person align their goals and career direction—it's not just a check-in on task progress.
  

“The most important purpose of a 1-on-1 is to help each person reach their career goals, and to align on goals and how we get there.” — CEO, Porsche

• Create room to speak up and discuss
  Teammates can share ideas, talk through challenges, and even raise questions they wouldn't feel comfortable bringing up in a group meeting.

“To me, a 1-on-1 gives quieter colleagues a dedicated time to come and talk through their questions.” — CTO, Khan

• Build alignment and a sense of direction
  Through conversation, we find the next step forward—and everyone feels understood and supported.
  

“Through 1-on-1s, I want to understand how my teammates are doing this quarter, both at work and in their well-being, and find better ways to work together.” — Head of Product, Samuel

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How Do 1 on 1 Meetings Help Us Live Our Culture?

Culture isn't built through announcements or policies. It's shaped through real interactions, one after another.

1 on 1s give trust a consistent place to happen. They let teammates know there's protected time to talk about roadblocks beyond the work itself, pacing that doesn't feel right, or questions about their role and future. For managers, it's one of the few times they can truly understand where each person is: What is this teammate learning this quarter? Where are they struggling? What are they doing that goes well beyond what's visible on the surface?

In a highly autonomous workplace, these conversations matter even more. They fill in the feelings, expectations, and unspoken understanding that are easy to miss when collaboration is remote and distributed.

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1 on 1 Meetings Are a Shared Responsibility

We believe our teammates are capable of owning their own growth.

That's why a good 1 on 1 isn't just a teammate reporting in, nor a one-way management tool for the manager. It's a conversation both sides build together.

It takes preparation and commitment from both people: teammates bring their questions, ideas, and needs; managers bring their time, focus, and feedback. Together they align expectations and express appreciation for each other, making collaboration smoother and turning every conversation into a chance to grow.

In the End, It Comes Back to Conversation

At OakMega, we value mutual respect and believe every voice deserves to be heard.

1 on 1s turn that belief from an ideal into an everyday practice. They put “trust” on the calendar, turn “listening” into concrete action, and make sure conversations don't only happen when things are going well.

When everyone knows there's a space where they'll be truly heard and taken seriously, culture doesn't need constant reminders—it shows up naturally in the way we work together.