Working with me: Handbook
Goal: to show how I think about collaboration and how to be a good partner (in both directions). Don’t get too fussy/make expectations too high on this, though. (from writing in public inside your company)
- Async – If it could have been accomplished in a well-written message or email, it should not be a call is how I like to live my life. I also can’t pay attention in a call any more if it goes longer than 45 mins and will definitely need a break.
- Transparency – Transparent should be the default setting IMO. Documents and notes should be accessible by anyone as long as it’s not highly sensitive information, or criticisms directly for one person (the whole praise in public, criticize in private)
- Paper Trail – My brain can only hold so many things and so can everyone else’s. If a decision is made over a call or in person, it should be documented somewhere. This prevents so much miscommunication down the line if people misinterpret decisions
- Reliability – if you say you’re gonna do something, actually do it or be clear when it hasn’t been done. No issues (usually) if things came up and it just couldn’t be done but if it becomes a habit, that’s a problem.
- Efficiency – Move fast, have a sense of urgency, and speak with a sense of urgency.
- Acknowledge what you don’t know – If you don’t know the answer, don’t pretend that you do. (but also have agency and confidence when you do know the answer or have conviction)
- Agency – have agency. Everyone can make a difference but not if you’re passive and don’t speak up (but pick your battles wisely, sometimes you gotta know when to back down)
- Inclusivity – give context to newcomers, and body language in IRL settings to include people in conversations
All of these are how I want to work with others - working on having more agency and being more reliable and inclusive. Still working on most of these things :)