Ep 490: Mastering Effective One-on-One Meetings with Drew McLellan
Release Date: 02/24/2025
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Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes back agency advisor and author Karl Sakas for a candid conversation about the unique challenges that come with agency ownership—and how to move “from chaos to calm.” Drawing from his years of agency operations experience and his new book, From Chaos to Calm, Karl helps agency leaders recognize how they sometimes get in their own way and offers practical advice for fostering a calmer, more rewarding agency environment. Drew and Karl tackle some of the biggest pain points facing agency...
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Build a Better Agency Podcast
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Episode 508 Project Management That Drives Profit with Rachel Gertz
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Episode 506 How Prioritizing Fun Inspires Success with Mike Rucker
Build a Better Agency Podcast
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Build a Better Agency Podcast
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Episode 504 Explore the Findings of the 2025 Agency Edge Research with Susan Baier
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to a timely episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by research partner Susan Baier from Audience Audit to unveil the results of the 2025 Agency Edge Research, fresh from its debut at the Build a Better Agency Summit. Together, they dig deep into how agency clients really feel about artificial intelligence—where they’re embracing it, where they’re hesitant, and what they truly want from their agency partners as AI becomes an ever-more central part of the marketing landscape. Susan and Drew break down the study’s findings, revealing surprising...
info_outlineIn this episode of Build a Better Agency, Drew McLellan emphasizes the game-changing impact of one-on-one meetings and why agency owners should make them a non-negotiable part of their leadership strategy. Drawing from real-world agency experiences, Drew shares why these meetings serve as an "early warning radar system," helping leaders stay connected to their teams, strengthen workplace culture, and proactively address challenges before they escalate.
Drew outlines a structured yet simple framework for these biweekly, 30-minute meetings, highlighting that they are employee-driven—meaning the team member schedules the meeting, completes a structured form in advance, and leads the conversation. He breaks down the essential components of the form, including personal and professional check-ins, growth goal tracking, and opportunities for employees to share concerns, request support, and flag internal or client-related issues. By consistently implementing these meetings, agency owners can reduce day-to-day interruptions, foster deeper engagement, and cultivate a team that is both personally and professionally invested in the agency’s success.
If you’re struggling with employee engagement, culture-building, or leadership visibility, this episode provides a straightforward yet highly effective solution. Tune in to learn how to implement one-on-one meetings, access Drew’s updated meeting template, and start seeing immediate benefits in your agency.
A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- The value of one-on-one meetings for agency growth and employee development
- Setting professional and agency-focused growth goals for employees
- Encouraging accountability and preparation among team members
- Building deeper connections through personal and professional check-ins
- Enhancing employee support and addressing key issues effectively
- The importance of employees driving their own career discussions
- Leveraging one-on-one meetings to spot potential client or internal issues early