As Matillion continues to grow, the quality of conversations between managers and their teams matters more than ever. For new managers stepping up from technical roles, having meaningful, in-depth check-in conversations can feel uncomfortable without the right support. Matillion wanted to ensure these conversations didn’t just happen, but happened well.
The problem
Matillion wanted all new managers to be confident and capable of leading Quarterly Deep Dive (QDD) conversations with their team members. As a software development business, many of these managers were technical experts, less experienced in asking open, reflective questions about how people were really doing.
They knew from experience that confidence wouldn’t come from guidance alone. It had to be built through practice. The challenge was finding a way to provide that practice in a way that felt safe, realistic, and scalable.
The solution
Matillion used The Experience Works as a dedicated practice platform to follow an initial workshop briefing. This allowed new managers to put learning into action immediately, rather than waiting to try it for the first time in a real QDD.
Every new manager received a clear briefing on how to structure and lead an effective QDD, followed by a one-hour, one-to-one practice session with a Practice Coach. Using a prepared brief, managers were able to try the conversation, get it wrong, receive feedback, and try again in a psychologically safe environment.
The results
The programme delivered three clear outcomes for Matillion:
- Confidence – New managers felt more comfortable and capable leading QDD conversations, while HR had confidence that the skills were being genuinely applied
- Behaviour change – Observable shifts in how managers approached and led check-ins, driven by practice rather than theory
- A memorable experience – Managers consistently described the practice as impactful and memorable, increasing the likelihood that learning would stick