The real master has no tools

A polymath can take the skills that she or he has learned and combine them in new ways quickly to master new fields. 

On the other hand, a specialist whose fields becomes obsolete would likely take much more time to adapt to the change and have to start back at the beginning.

Before discussing performance in a 1:1 meeting, check your empathy first. You want to add value and find out how your direct report feels.

• Does the person you're managing feel invested in your company or team goals?
• Does he/she feel as if you've got his/her back...

It is important to show up prepared for any meeting. Before a meeting with someone that you haven’t met, you should Google the person or look him or her up on LinkedIn to find out about his or her background, work history and where he or she went to college, and look for common ground like people...