5. Mentoring, feedback and 1:1s

• 1:1s (weekly/biweekly, 30 min): their agenda first — blockers, growth, wellbeing, feedback both ways.
• Feedback models: SBI (Situation – Behaviour – Impact), timely, specific, private for criticism, public for praise.

"In yesterday's client call (situation), you jumped in to correct the client mid-sentence twice (behaviour). The client seemed annoyed and the call ran long (impact). Next time, can you note your point and raise it when they finish? Happy to role-play before the next call."

• Growth: individual development plans, stretch assignments, certifications, tech talks, gradual ownership.
• Psychological safety: people can admit mistakes and ask questions without fear — the strongest predictor of team effectiveness in Google's Project Aristotle research.