What is the purpose of a skip-level meeting?

It gives senior leaders unfiltered insight into team morale, obstacles, and ideas by talking directly with employees below their direct reports. It builds relationships across levels and helps leaders spot systemic issues. It is not a channel to police or bypass managers.

How do I run a skip-level without undermining the manager?

Frame it as listening and relationship building, not a performance check on the manager. Avoid asking employees to grade their boss directly, and never act on individual complaints in a way that exposes the source. Loop the manager in on themes where appropriate.

How often should skip-level meetings happen?

Quarterly or a few times a year is typical, often enough to stay connected without overwhelming schedules or making managers uneasy. Consistency and clear follow-through matter more than frequency; employees quickly disengage if nothing changes after they speak up.

Free Skip Level Meeting Checklist Checklist

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Skip Level Meeting Checklist

Employee Name:

Direct Manager:

Skip-Level Leader:

Meeting Date:

Preparation and Setup

Inform the direct manager about the skip-level meetingReview employee's role, team, and recent accomplishmentsPrepare open-ended questions about experience and observationsSet clear purpose and agenda for the conversationCreate a comfortable and confidential meeting environment

Team Health Exploration

Ask about team morale and overall working atmosphereExplore effectiveness of team communication and information flowDiscuss team dynamics and collaboration effectivenessGather insights on how company values are experienced dailyIdentify any systemic issues affecting team performance

Manager Effectiveness Feedback

Ask how well the direct manager supports their workInquire about the quality of feedback and coaching receivedExplore fairness and transparency of manager's decisionsDiscuss communication style and accessibility of their manager

Strategy and Growth Discussion

Discuss the employee's understanding of company strategyExplore career development aspirations and growth opportunitiesAsk what one change would most improve their work experienceIdentify ways senior leadership can better support the teamDiscuss any ideas or innovations the employee wants to champion

Closing and Follow-up

Thank the employee and reinforce the value of their candorDocument key themes and actionable insights from discussionShare appropriate feedback with direct manager constructivelyCreate action plan for any organizational issues identifiedSchedule the next skip-level meeting to maintain continuity

The complete guide

Everything you need to know

01What Is the Skip Level Meeting Checklist?

A skip-level meeting is a conversation between a senior leader and employees two or more levels below them, skipping the direct manager. This checklist guides that meeting so it builds trust, surfaces honest feedback, and helps leaders understand what is really happening on the ground. It keeps the tone open and productive rather than making people feel they are being tested or bypassing their boss.

02Why Use a Skip Level Meeting Checklist

Information gets filtered as it travels up the chain, so leaders often lose sight of frontline reality. Skip-levels reconnect them, revealing team morale, systemic blockers, and manager effectiveness that would not surface otherwise. A checklist keeps these sensitive meetings constructive: it reminds leaders to listen more than talk, avoid undermining managers, and turn what they hear into action, which is what makes employees trust the process.

03How to Use This Skip Level Meeting Checklist

Explain the purpose in advance so employees do not fear it is about their manager being in trouble. Prepare open questions about the work, the team, and ideas for improvement, and resist jumping to solutions. Take notes on themes, not individual complaints to weaponize. Afterward, close the loop by acting on patterns and sharing back what changed, without exposing who said what.

Skip Level Meeting Checklist

Skip Level Meeting Checklist

Preparation and Setup

Team Health Exploration

Manager Effectiveness Feedback

Strategy and Growth Discussion

Closing and Follow-up

Everything you need to know

01What Is the Skip Level Meeting Checklist?

02Why Use a Skip Level Meeting Checklist

03How to Use This Skip Level Meeting Checklist

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