Managing Direct Reports Using the Manager Guide

Updated by Amy Thomas

What the Manager Guide is

This guide helps you understand how to work effectively with each team member based on their personality and yours. It's most valuable for preparing for 1:1s, giving feedback, and improving your management approach.

Problem

Do you ever struggle to motivate a direct report or give them supportive coaching or have a challenging conversation? Do you sometimes feel unprepared to manage one of your direct reports effectively? Challenges like unclear expectations, missed opportunities for growth, or difficulty giving feedback can undermine trust and performance.

Solution

Use the Manager Guide and personalized coaching from Coach Bo to better understand your direct report’s work style, communication preferences, and strengths. These tools provide practical advice for setting expectations, offering feedback, and motivating your team member.

Steps to Action

Access the Manager Guide
Open your direct report’s profile and navigate to the Manager Guide.
Review insights about their strengths, challenges, and preferences to tailor your management approach.
Ask Coach Bo for Advice
Launch Coach Bo from the Manager Guide page.
Ask questions like:
- "What’s the best way to motivate [Name]?”
- "How can I provide constructive feedback to [Name]?”
Get specific with Bo — share real details and get into specific actions or steps to take.
Set Clear Goals Together
Schedule a 1:1 meeting with your direct report to discuss:
- Performance expectations.
- Areas for growth and development.
- Specific goals for the next quarter
Provide Regular Check-Ins
Hold weekly or bi-weekly meetings to review progress, address concerns, and celebrate achievements.
Use insights from the Manager Guide and Coach Bo to guide these conversations.

Making It Part of Your Routine

  • Have a quick Bo chat before each 1:1 (Bo remembers context from your previous conversations)
  • Use the guide when giving feedback (Bo can help you phrase things effectively)
  • Monthly: Pick one team member and explore a deeper insight about managing them

Specific Ways to Use It

For Regular 1:1s:
  • Launch Bo from the guide 5 minutes before your 1:1
  • Try: "What should I keep in mind for today's 1:1 with [Name]?"
  • Bo will suggest 2-3 specific conversation approaches
For Giving Feedback:
  • Launch Bo and say: "I need to give [Name] feedback about [Topic]"
  • Bo will help you phrase it in a way that fits their personality
  • Practice the conversation with Bo first
For Development Conversations:
  • Launch Bo and say: "Help me understand what motivates [Name]"
  • Bo will suggest specific growth opportunities that match their traits
  • Get concrete ideas for projects or responsibilities they might enjoy

Growth Experiments to Try

Start Small
  • Pick one of the existing prompts from the Bo chat for managers (e.g. motivate [Name], Give feedback to [Name], etc)
  • Have a short conversation and end it by asking Bo to suggest a tiny experiment to try in your next interaction
  • Example: Work with Bo to better come up with a communication plan for how to give positive feedback to someone on your team you haven’t acknowledged in awhile. 
Build Gradually
  • Share what you're learning about adapting your style
  • Ask what's working well for them
  • Try one new approach each month

Pro Tips

  • Use Coach Bo before key conversations, like performance reviews or development discussions, for practical advice.
  • Focus on strengths while being clear about improvement areas when providing feedback.
  • Recognize and celebrate small wins to boost morale.

Troubleshooting

Can’t find the Manager Guide?

  • Ensure your direct report has completed their personality profile.
  • Check your account permissions to ensure visibility of their profile.

Not sure how to use Coach Bo?

  • Start by asking a broad question like, “How can I improve as a manager for [Name]?”
  • Then have a natural conversation and share real details. You’re the only one in your organization who will see these chats.

What to Expect

By following these steps, you’ll build a stronger relationship with your direct report, set clear expectations, and help them reach their full potential.

Remember:

✅ Launch Bo directly from the guide (it knows the context)

✅ Focus on one small change at a time

✅ Build on what works

✅ Check back with Bo regularly

See it in Action!

How did we do?