Keep the 1:1 focused on high-level topics: what you need help with, what your manager needs help with and how you're doing on the job.

If you want this to work:

• Send regular email updates highlighting positive updates to your manager
• Have a weekly scheduled 1:1 and hold your manager to it
• Show up with proposed solutions

Sample agenda:

How can you help me?

NEVER START A MEETING WITH WHAT'S NOT WORKING

"We've been doing amazing on the platform migration project like I mentioned in my email. We're going to hit some bandwith issues with Jack going on leave - I need your help to get an extra resource before December."

"My focus has been on shipping this feature before the holidays. The Design Director hasn't been cooperating with the resources we need. I've met her twice to resolve this but at this point you should get involved because this is taking up too much of my energy away from the project. I need you to talk to her this week if you can"

"I think having a better understanding of lattice models will really help round out the team. I'm going to take a class - can you help with logistics expensing it and do you have any other ideas on how I can improve this?"

How can I help you?

"I noticed our COO is really keen on being able to do X, I have some ideas on how the team can do it and give us some good visibility"

"I've started prepping for our exec presentation early this quarter to help you- let's set up a time to review it"

How am I doing?

Ask this question directly and fearlessly + document the results.