Run a great first coffee

A coffee chat is short, and the talent may be nervous. You don't need a script. Aim to leave them with one insight they didn't have before and one thing to do next.

Open well

Start with what they're working on this week

It puts them at ease and gives you real context. Their topic and note in Prep tell you what they asked for; their week tells you what's actually on their mind.

Ask what a win would look like from this chat

Try: "If we only get one thing done today, what should it be?" Then keep steering back to it, so the time goes where they need it most.

Listen, then share

Share one story, not a lecture

One real story about a time you faced the same question is worth more than ten tips. Say what you tried, what happened and what you'd do differently now. Keep it your own experience: it's a view, not professional advice.

Land it

Close with one concrete next step

Agree one thing they'll do this week, specific enough that they'll know when it's done. "Rewrite your CV headline for product roles" beats "work on your CV".

Offer to introduce someone in your network

Only when it would genuinely help, and only once you've checked with the other person. Referring a talent

In KoffeeChat

• Press Prep on the chat under Chats → Upcoming to see their topic, their note and anything they shared.
• Running late? Press Message on the chat and tell them.
• Afterwards, press Log outcome and rate the talent. Logging the outcome, and changing it later