What do you ask in your first 1:1 with a new manager?

I had my first 1:1 with my new manager today, it was only 30 minutes, a pretty simple meeting, but an important one.

I asked him for his vision for Technical Program Managers at our company. Got an answer, and while it wasn't super clear yet, it gave me enough to see where things might go.

What I noticed, though, is that a vision at the strategic level needs some anchor in day-to-day actions, otherwise it stays just words, and it is hard to put into action. Still early days and only a first meeting, so that's ok.

I also left him with one request: frequent feedback. He's an executive, and feedback from that level gives me a direct line to what the company actually needs and expects; that's not a small thing.

What do you ask in a first 1:1 with someone new above you?

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