Skip-level meetings

Skip-level meetings are direct conversations between a manager's manager and the individual contributors two levels down. By cutting out the usual chain of command, they let leaders surface issues, build trust, and see the day-to-day reality of their teams. For a manager of managers the payoff is concrete: you get personal rapport with people you would otherwise only see through reports, you gain early warning signals before performance reviews, and you can probe how your direct reports are supporting their teams. For the IC the upside is fairness and visibility. Knowing the senior leader has time for them reduces the feeling of being filtered through politics, gives them a channel for feedback and ideas, and demystifies what leadership cares about, which can inform their own career path. The article recommends a cadence that matches the relationship: fortnightly for high-impact stars, monthly for most staff, quarterly for low-touch connections, and on-request or occasional for those who prefer fewer meetings. This flexible schedule lets you stay informed without flooding calendars. Start by notifying your direct reports, then send a short invitation that explains the purpose - get to know them, understand their work, and help them succeed. ICs can also ask their manager to set up a skip-level with the next leader, using the same template to keep the process simple.