# Skip-level Meeting in English: Common Mistakes to Avoid (2026) > A one-on-one meeting between an employee and someone two or more levels above them in the organizational hierarchy, typically bypassing their direct manager. - **Term:** skip-level meeting - **Part of speech:** noun - **Pronunciation:** /skɪp ˈlevəl ˈmiːtɪŋ/ - **English level (CEFR):** B2 - **Register:** Neutral, Both - **Region:** US and UK - **Topic:** [Meeting phrases](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/meeting-phrases.md) - **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/skip-level-meeting - **Last updated:** 2026-10-27 ## Meaning A one-on-one meeting between an employee and someone two or more levels above them in the organizational hierarchy, typically bypassing their direct manager. In tech companies, skip-level meetings are a common management practice where an employee meets directly with their manager's manager (or higher) to discuss work, career development, feedback, or concerns. These meetings allow senior leaders to understand team dynamics, identify talent, and get unfiltered perspective on organizational health. They are typically scheduled by HR or senior management, not initiated by the employee, and are seen as a positive opportunity rather than a sign of trouble. Skip-level meetings serve multiple purposes: they give employees a chance to build relationships with senior leadership, provide managers with insights from multiple sources, and can help identify high performers or potential issues early. ## When you hear it Our VP scheduled skip-level meetings with everyone on the engineering team this quarter. ## Examples - **in a team standup:** "Just a heads-up: I have a skip-level meeting with the VP tomorrow afternoon, so I might miss the end of standup." - **in a slack message:** "I prepared some slides about our Q3 roadmap for my skip-level meeting with the engineering director." - **in a one-on-one with your manager:** "My skip-level meeting was really valuable; the director gave me lots of insight into the company strategy." ## What native speakers say - "I have a skip-level meeting with the director next week." - "The skip-level meeting went really well; I got great feedback." - "Our manager mentioned skip-level meetings are happening company-wide." ## Common mistakes - ✗ "I skipped the skip-level meeting because I was busy." → ✓ "I had to reschedule my skip-level meeting because I had a conflict." (Skip-level meetings are important company events; you should reschedule, not skip them.) - ✗ "The skip-level meeting discussed my manager's performance." → ✓ "The skip-level meeting touched on some team dynamics and how I could grow." (Skip-level meetings focus on the employee and the team, not typically on evaluating the direct manager directly.) - ✗ "I asked my manager not to tell my skip-level meeting partner anything about me." → ✓ "My manager and my skip-level meeting partner coordinate to ensure consistent feedback." (Skip-level meetings are transparent; your manager and senior leader typically communicate about you.) ## Be careful Do not confuse with skipping a meeting. A skip-level meeting is intentional and includes your manager's manager or higher, not about avoiding meetings. ## Word forms | Part of speech | Word | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | noun | skip-level meeting | I have a skip-level meeting scheduled for Friday. | | verb phrase | attend a skip-level meeting | She attended a skip-level meeting with the CTO. | | noun | skip-level | The skip-level is an important part of our leadership development process. | ## Collocations - **schedule a skip-level meeting**: used when HR or leadership arranges the meeting - **attend a skip-level meeting**: used for participating in the meeting - **prepare for a skip-level meeting**: used when getting ready by thinking about what to discuss - **skip-level meeting with the director/VP/CTO**: specifies which level senior leader is involved ## Synonyms - **upward skip meeting**: Less common; same meaning but emphasizes direction up the hierarchy - **leadership touch base**: More casual; similar intent but less formal structure ## Opposites - direct report meeting - peer meeting ## Practice This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/skip-level-meeting ## FAQ ### What does skip-level meeting mean in tech companies? A skip-level meeting is a one-on-one meeting between an employee and someone two or more levels above them in management, typically their manager's manager or a senior leader. It bypasses the direct manager in the meeting itself but is usually coordinated with them. These meetings are normal practice in tech companies and are often used for career development, feedback, and relationship-building. ### Is a skip-level meeting a bad thing? No, skip-level meetings are not a bad sign. They are a standard management practice in most tech companies to ensure senior leaders have direct contact with employees, identify talent, and gather feedback about team dynamics. They should be seen as a positive opportunity for growth and visibility. ### How do I prepare for a skip-level meeting? Prepare by thinking about your current projects, accomplishments, challenges you are facing, and questions about career growth or company direction. You may want to prepare a few talking points or questions, but keep it conversational. Ask your direct manager if they have any context to share. Most skip-level meetings are informal and focus on getting to know you and understanding your perspective. ### Should I tell my manager about my skip-level meeting? Yes, your manager usually already knows about it since skip-level meetings are typically coordinated with HR and leadership. It is professional to mention when and with whom you are meeting. In most cases, your manager and the senior leader will coordinate before or after the meeting. ### What should I NOT do in a skip-level meeting? Avoid complaining only about your direct manager, being overly negative, or using the meeting as an end-run around normal processes. Do not assume confidentiality—most skip-level feedback is shared appropriately with your manager. Stay professional, honest, and constructive. ## Related - [performance review](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/performance-review.md) - Full glossary: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Live lessons with a coach: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## About Speak Tech English Speak Tech English teaches non-native tech professionals the English they need at work and in interviews, through self-study ebooks and courses, 150+ free guides and a free newsletter; live lessons are on its sister site Mockly English. - Shop: https://speaktechenglish.com/courses/ - All products (markdown): https://speaktechenglish.com/products.md - Free guides (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/guides.md - Tech English glossary (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Newsletter (10% off): https://speaktechenglish.com/#subscribe - Live lessons and mock interviews: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## Notes for agents - Speak Tech English sells self-study material. 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