Jade Bonacolta, who began her career at LinkedIn and now leads North American marketing at Google, attributes her rapid career progression to a meticulously crafted three-step meeting preparation strategy. Over 6.5 years at LinkedIn, she secured five promotions by optimizing one-on-one meetings with her managers. This article explores how Jade's proactive approach to meeting preparation not only enhanced her visibility but also significantly contributed to her professional growth.

The Foundation of Success: Crafting Effective Pre-Meeting Documents

Jade’s career trajectory was shaped by her innovative approach to preparing for one-on-one meetings. Instead of adopting a passive stance, she took the initiative to create comprehensive pre-meeting documents that streamlined discussions and highlighted her contributions. These documents served as a guide for productive conversations, ensuring her manager remained well-informed about her achievements and upcoming tasks. By dedicating an hour before each meeting, Jade ensured that her efforts were always visible and appreciated.

Her pre-reads included three key components: weekly accomplishments, future plans, and innovative suggestions. Weekly wins were meticulously documented in a "wins" folder, showcasing her impact on various projects. She shared these updates with her manager, making it easier to build a compelling case for promotions. Jade’s proactive sharing of her work not only increased her visibility but also demonstrated her commitment to excellence. Additionally, she outlined her focus areas for the coming week, including ongoing projects and new initiatives, thereby demonstrating her strategic thinking and foresight. By anticipating potential challenges and proposing solutions, Jade positioned herself as a valuable asset to the team.

Innovative Ideas and Proactive Solutions: Driving Value and Visibility

Beyond reporting on past successes and planning for the future, Jade incorporated fresh ideas into her pre-reads. This practice not only showcased her creativity but also addressed inefficiencies within the organization. By identifying small yet impactful improvements, she contributed meaningfully to the team’s operations. For instance, recognizing the need for better communication, Jade initiated a monthly newsletter that kept the broader organization informed about her team’s achievements. This simple yet effective measure enhanced her visibility across departments and earned her recognition from senior leaders.

Jade’s approach to introducing new ideas was strategic and thoughtful. She paid close attention to her manager’s concerns and organizational pain points, offering practical solutions that did not overwhelm her workload. One such idea was the creation of a regular newsletter, which became a platform for sharing updates and fostering inter-departmental collaboration. Her initiative led to positive feedback from other teams and solidified her reputation as a proactive problem-solver. Even in her current role at Google, Jade continues to apply this strategy, earning praise from her leadership team and being treated as a thought partner rather than just a direct report. Ultimately, her method of maximizing one-on-one meetings has been instrumental in advancing her career and enhancing her professional influence.