Welcome to my so-called manager README, the forever-WIP guide to how to work effectively and happily with me.
Before we start, let me highlight what I mean by that.
I aim at updating this document as I grow both professionally and personally; please do expect changes, even dramatic ones, as I learn more about myself and how I function best.
If we interact on a work basis, we're spending time together within the context of a bigger picture, whether a small project or our company's lifetime goal. Either way, my objective for us is to put effort (time, energy, focus, etc.) onto meaningful things.
We spend a tremendous amount of time in our lives working. For this reason, it's very important to me that I work with people I genuinely appreciate in a way or another, and that feel the same in return.
We can disagree on many things, and that's ok as long as we do so while respecting each other.
I can't promise you that every moment will be a happy moment, but I can guarantee you that I'll do my best to make each and every day a positive one.
This document is an attempt to explain to you the way I work, yet it won't replace our human interactions in any possible way.
Although I'm an developer by trade and I like spending time coding and building awesome things as much as the next engineer, as your lead/manager my time is best spent otherwise:
- help you understand the context of what we're doing to help the business succeed
- help the business understand what makes you tick and how you can be awesome at your job
- help you and your team achieve the goals ahead
- help you grow professionally, by recognizing your potential and pointing towards the areas of the business where you can thrive and coaching to get you to the next level
This is not an easy task and I'll take all the help I can get from you and your teammates.
In the meanwhile, here's a breakdown of my way to achieve the aforementioned ambitious objectives.
This is probably the best way I have to give you a safe space where to discuss anything. Literally, anything you feel like sharing, for example:
- concerns about the way we do things
- excitement for a change that positively affected you (inside or outside of the work time)
- frustration for a situation that put stress on you (inside or outside of the work time)
- your ambitions for your career (within the company and beyond)
I'll usually be the one suggesting the frequency of our 1:1 meetings (usually starting with more and relaxing the pace as we see fit), but I appreciate the feedback if you think we do too much of it or too little.
Although you can count on this kind of meeting being frequent, don't wait for the next 1:1 to talk to me if something urgent comes up.
I love me some good feedback. Particularly, for me it is:
No feedback < Bad feedback < Good Feedback
When I do receive feedback, I want it often, transparent, and constructive.
Here's an example of what I consider bad feedback:
I don't like the way you do X. I can't think of an example right now, I just think it's wrong.
And here's an example of what is good feedback to me:
Yesterday you assigned me to task/project X without taking the time to walk me through it, nor explaining why it's more important than task/project Y I was working on. I feel confused and I need more clarity.
As your manager, it's my priority to be available for you as much as possible. Nonetheless, I like to have some boundaries (both ways) to allow the two of us to accomplish work tasks while keep our conversation going as necessary.
Whether the physical building we're at is burning down or our production environment is on fire, by all means feel free to interrupt whatever thing I'm doing or whatever time of the day/night might be.
In any other occasion, don't tap me on the shoulder because you'll break my focus and/or scare the hell out of me.
I'd rather for you to ping me virtually (a message on Slack is usually the best) and ask for my time, briefly mentioning why you need it. I find it hard to imagine I'll ever deny talking to you, although now might not be the perfect moment so I might ask you to wait a bit or schedule a chat soon. I'm usually pretty reactive to such pings, but occasionally I might not be so please be patient.
I use my calendar as a tool to prioritize time. You can expect to find it up-to-date, at least with regards to my time allocated to others and personal errands / time off. I occasionally block time for myself (i.e. coding, planning, thinking, studying). When you see a free slot, you can expect me to be free most of the times and you can book it, although consider that I might decline / postpone it if I don't understand why or we haven't agreed on it.
Whenever possible, my preference goes definitely for a walking meeting with a good cup of coffee (and I usually pay for it, you don't have drink anything nor feel obliged to pay every other time if you don't want to). We spend enough time sitting at our desks, I'll take every chance to walk outside if we don't need to stare at a monitor.
If we're not in the same space, a video call is the best we can do (internet connection allowing it).
I haven't yet found the time to write about:
- investing on growth (for the two of us)
- my personality type and how to best interact with me
- my take on diversity and my privileges as a straight white male (in that I recognize them and put effort to cancel them out)
- my take on performance evaluations
- my take on delegation and responsibilities
- my take on work/life balance
- my personal struggle with anxiety
- our relationship when we're peers
- our relationship when you manage me
- & more
If there's anything you want me to explain, feel free to open an issue.