53: Why Most Tech Managers Fail at Feedback (and How Top CTOs Fix It)

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Are you getting the most out of your individual contributors?

In this episode, I sit down with Matan Kubovsky to dive into the art of managing individual contributors through weekly one-on-one meetings. Matan shares his experience and a proven system for leading teams with consistency, clarity, and alignment. This method isn’t just about project updates—it’s about shaping growth and connecting each person’s role to the broader organizational mission.



We cover how to structure meetings, build trust, and set the right cadence to keep momentum going. Matan also discusses how to track progress with a rolling agenda and how to use the VARK learning model to tailor coaching to the team’s learning styles. Whether leading a small team or guiding team leads, this episode is packed with actionable insights to make performance management smoother and more effective.

You’ll Learn:

• The real reason weekly one-on-ones are the most powerful tool for individual contributor growth
• What happens when you set the right cadence for meetings and stick to it
• The surprising link between active listening and building trust with your team
• Why silence in meetings can be your secret weapon to get more from your team
• How to use the VARK model to tailor coaching and accelerate learning
• The quiet damage of losing momentum by meeting less than once a week
• What it feels like to lead with clarity by aligning individual performance with company goals
• Why recording your one-on-one meetings can build confidence and create valuable evidence
• The key difference between a mission statement and a personal development plan
• How to avoid the performance review “surprise” by keeping a rolling agenda document

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[06:30] Why many engineering teams lack performance management skills

[08:05] The problem with annual performance reviews

[09:35] How feedback frequency impacts team performance

[11:10] The Start/Stop/Continue framework explained

[13:25] The need for weekly one-on-one meetings with individual contributors

[16:05] Why silence in meetings can drive more meaningful conversations

[19:15] How to help engineers improve their listening and communication skills

[21:40] The importance of shifting focus from output to experience in meetings

[25:00] Why keeping a rolling agenda document is essential for tracking progress

[30:20] How to structure quarterly reviews and set goals for the next quarter

Resources Mentioned:

McKinsey Research | Website

You can connect with Matan through his Linkedin or schedule a meeting to learn more here.

Find more from Adam on LinkedIn and YouTube, and check out Adam's CTO coaching company Synova Tech.