The Perfect Sales 1:1 Meeting Template for Managers in 2025

Ask any sales rep what meeting they dread the most, and the answer is almost always the same: The Weekly 1:1 with their Manager.

Why? Because most managers treat the 1:1 as a "Pipeline Interrogation."

Manager: "What's happening with Account X?" > Rep: "I sent an email." > Manager: "When will it close?" > Rep: "Maybe Friday."

This is not coaching; it is admin work. It is a waste of expensive time that demoralizes top performers and stresses struggling ones.

In 2025, data is available instantly. You don't need a meeting to know the numbers. The 1:1 must shift from "inspection" to "coaching." Here is the perfect template to make that shift.

Key takeaways

• It's their meeting, not yours. The rep should drive the agenda. If you are doing 80% of the talking, you are doing it wrong. Gallup: State of the Global Workplace 2025 Report
• Separate pipeline from coaching. If you spend the whole hour reviewing the forecast, you are not coaching skills. Dedicate specific time for development. Gartner: Leadership Vision for CSOs
• Frequency matters. Weekly, consistent 30-minute check-ins beat sporadic, hour-long monthly reviews. Consistency builds trust. HBR: How to Make Your One-on-Ones Actually Productive

Table of contents

• Inspection vs. Coaching (The Mindset Shift)
• The 30-Minute Structure (The 10/10/10 Rule)
• 7 Great Questions to Ask
• The Copy-Paste 1:1 Template
• How Nomi fits

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Inspection vs. Coaching (The Mindset Shift)

Before opening the template, understand the goal.

• Pipeline Inspection (Backward-looking): Asking about past activities and CRM data. "Did you update Salesforce?" This is necessary but low-value.
• Sales Coaching (Forward-looking): Discussing strategy, skills, and behaviors to improve future outcomes. "What is your strategy to handle that pricing objection next time?" This is high-value.

The Rule: A great 1:1 should be 20% Inspection and 80% Coaching.

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The 30-Minute Structure (The 10/10/10 Rule)

You don't need an hour. A focused 30-minute session is often more productive. Use the 10/10/10 split:

Part 1: The Numbers & Pipeline (10 Minutes)

A quick scan of the health metrics. Don't go deal-by-deal through the whole pipe. Focus only on the "Red Flags" (stalled deals, slipped dates).

Part 2: The Game Tape & Skills (10 Minutes)

This is the coaching core. Pick one specific call or one specific skill to review.

• Example: "Let's listen to the first 3 minutes of your demo with Acme Corp. How did you set the agenda?"

Part 3: The Human & Roadblocks (10 Minutes)

The rep as a person. What is blocking them? How is their motivation? Are they burnt out?

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7 Great Questions to Ask

Stop asking "When will it close?". Start asking open-ended strategic questions.

1. "What is the biggest risk to your forecast right now, and how can I help mitigate it?"
2. "Looking at Account X, who are the decision-makers we haven't unlocked yet?"
3. "What is ONE skill you want to improve this week?"
4. "Where are you getting stuck in the sales process most often?"
5. "What’s a roadblock I can remove for you today?"
6. "Which competitor are you running into the most lately, and how are you handling it?"
7. "(For new hires): What is the hardest part of our Onboarding Process so far?"

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The Copy-Paste 1:1 Template

Copy this into your Notion, Google Doc, or CRM.

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[Rep Name] & [Manager Name] Weekly 1:1 Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

I. Pipeline Health Check (10m)

• Metric Review: [Current quota attainment vs. goal]
• Red Flag Deals: [List 1-2 stalled deals to discuss strategy]
• Next Week's Focus: [Top 3 priorities]

II. Skill Development / Call Review (10m)

• Call to Review: [Link to Nomi/Gong call]
• Skill Focus: [e.g., Discovery questions, Objection handling]
• Manager Feedback:
• Rep Action Item:

III. Roadblocks & Support (10m)

• Where are you stuck?
• What do you need from me?
• How are you feeling generally?

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How Nomi fits

The biggest barrier to coaching is prep time. Managers spend the first 20 minutes of the 1:1 just trying to figure out what happened during the week.

Nomi prepares the meeting for you.

• Pre-Meeting Context: Before the 1:1, Nomi provides a summary of the rep's key calls, highlighting moments where they struggled with pricing or competitors.
• Data-Driven Coaching: Instead of asking "How did it go?", you can say: "Nomi shows you missed the budget question in 3 out of 5 demos this week. Let's work on that."

Nomi turns a stressful interrogation into a high-impact AI Sales Coaching session.

Run better 1:1s with Nomi data.

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References

• Gallup: State of the Global Workplace: 2025 Report
• Gartner: Leadership Vision for Chief Sales Officers
• Harvard Business Review: How to Make Your One-on-Ones Actually Productive