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Do your group members actually understand how you’re employed? Not too long ago, I created a “Working with Our Leaders” useful resource for Lemonlight group members that outlines how I favor to work, collaborate and lead. Impressed by Claire Hughes Johnson, the previous COO of Stripe, every member of our management group now has their very own model of this guide.
As I wrote my profile (which you’ll see here!), I noticed how a lot we assume our colleagues perceive our working types with out ever explicitly sharing them. Here is why I consider each chief ought to create a guide to set the tone for efficient group collaboration — and what yours ought to embody.
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Why it issues
Making a “How one can Work With Me” guide is a precious train for any chief. It offers a transparent framework to your group to know how you’re employed greatest, fostering better communication and collaboration. Listed here are a number of the particular advantages.
Achieve readability by yourself preferences and tendencies
Writing your guide is not only a device to your group — it is a precious reflection train for you as a pacesetter. You would possibly assume you realize precisely how you use, what drives you and what you count on from others, however till you sit down and clarify these ideas, there could also be issues you have not absolutely explored. This course of forces you to assume critically about your leadership style, serving to you discover areas the place it’s possible you’ll be unclear or inconsistent.
For instance, you would possibly uncover that you simply favor direct communication however have by no means clearly defined that to your group, resulting in misunderstandings. Otherwise you would possibly understand that you simply worth fast decision-making however have not been prioritizing that day-to-day. By taking the time to jot down down your preferences, you may set the stage for higher collaboration and construct your self-awareness.
The extra you perceive your individual tendencies, the higher you may handle your reactions, make knowledgeable choices and create a piece setting that aligns along with your values.
Set clear expectations for group collaboration
Subsequent, your group cannot meet your wants when you’ve by no means communicated what these wants are. A “How one can Work With Me” guide bridges this hole by offering a transparent, concise information that outlines your expectations, preferences and dealing model.
For instance, in my guide, I clarify that if we have mentioned one thing in particular person and I owe you motion objects, sending me a follow-up electronic mail ensures I do not miss something. This would possibly look like a small element, however with out sharing this, group members may need to guess at greatest practices. These assumptions can result in inefficiencies, miscommunications and frustration.
By clearly outlining your preferences, you take away the guesswork to your group. They will know precisely how you can method duties, how you can talk with you and how you can align their work along with your expectations. Everybody is aware of what’s anticipated of them, which reduces the probabilities of misunderstandings and makes it simpler to get issues carried out.
Plus, setting clear expectations helps build trust. When your group is aware of that you have taken the time to speak your wants, they will really feel extra assured of their interactions with you. This belief is the muse of a high-performing group the place everybody feels valued and understood.
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Open the dialogue for others to share
Lastly, as leaders, we set the tone for a way our groups function and the way individuals talk with one another. By creating and sharing your “How one can Work With Me” guide, you are not simply clarifying your individual preferences — you are additionally encouraging others to do the identical. This could result in a extra open, clear work setting the place everybody feels snug sharing their very own working types.
Think about if each group member had their very own “methods to work with me” information. It might normalize discussions about particular person wants, preferences and working styles, fostering a tradition of mutual respect and understanding. When individuals are open about how they work greatest, groups can collaborate extra successfully and lean on one another’s strengths.
For instance, some group members would possibly favor detailed written directions, whereas others would possibly favor verbal communication. Understanding these preferences can assist in assigning duties, organizing conferences and structuring workflows. Encouraging your group to create their very own manuals additionally promotes self-awareness, requiring them to mirror on their very own working types and talk them successfully.
What to incorporate
When creating your “How one can Work With Me” guide, take into consideration the important thing elements of your working model that would affect your group. For instance, my profile contains sensible particulars like how and after I reply to emails, a couple of skilled areas I am specializing in enhancing and even my behavior of tweaking the design of Excel spreadsheets I obtain (it is me, not you!).
You would possibly contemplate together with sections about your communication model, typical work hours, expectations from direct stories, management model, the way you construction your day, the way you prefer to run conferences and anything that would facilitate smoother collaboration.
Do not be afraid so as to add a private contact, too. My guide contains tidbits about my hobbies, my canine Oliver, my favourite creator (Augusten Burroughs) and even my outcomes from frequent character exams. Including a “human” factor to your management can assist your group join with you on a extra private stage.
When you assume your teammates — and particularly your direct stories — already know this details about you, I encourage you to jot down it out. You is likely to be stunned by what you find out about your self and the way a lot readability it brings to your group!
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