It's a pleasure and an exciting opportunity to collaborate with you. I firmly believe that our unique experiences shape our perspectives and approaches to work, leading to a rich diversity of thoughts and strategies.
Inspired by an insightful article I read (you can find it here), I decided to create this manual. It's meant to shed light on my work style, values, problem-solving tactics, blind spots, and trust-building strategies. My hope is that this guide fosters clearer, more effective collaboration as we embark on this journey together.
- To me, success is a journey where both the outcome and the process hold equal importance.
- A good team cares for each other, feels proud to be part of it, and finds work fun and challenging.
- It's okay to make mistakes – they're like unexpected plot twists in a movie. But we should learn from them and commit to do better next time, like a sequel that outshines the original!
- I might get caught up in my thoughts when speaking, like a squirrel in a nut factory. Please, always feel free to ask for clarifications or specific action items.
- Your challenges to my ideas or arguments are not just welcome, but encouraged.
- I'm continually refining my communication methods, especially in providing feedback. If my style doesn't align with your preferences, I’m open to adapting.
- I like talking in person or through voice messages more than texts or emails.
- Should I forget to follow up, a gentle reminder from you would be as welcome as a lifeboat on a sinking ship. Greatly appreciated, indeed!
- I'm always open to discussions, be they technical, professional, or personal. If I'm not the best person to help, I will direct you to a smarter person that can help you solve your problem.
- I occasionally run late for meetings. A quick reminder would be helpful to get me on track.
- I sometimes use swear words. If you feel like my way does not fit your style or believes, let me know.
- I might give the impression that I am insensitive or that I do not trust others. A conversation can usually clear up these misinterpretations.
- I admire people who do their best, aim always for high-quality and are honest about what's going well and what's not.
- I like people who keep learning and admit their weaknesses.
- I admire those who take full ownership of problems. I am impressed when someone goes out of his way not just to identify a problem, but to rally the right people and processes in solving it. I love it when people use all the resources at their disposal (including me) to overcome challenges in their path.
- Dependence on others to resolve issues without taking initiative is like expecting a pizza to order itself – unlikely and a bit of a letdown. Please don't.
- Presenting an overly rosy picture or denying room for improvement raises my skepticism.
- Long-term focus: I think long-term when it comes to prioritizing processes, and strategy. I generally have a clear vision of where I'd like things to be in the future and lots of ideas on how we might get there.
- Educator and Learner: Sharing knowledge is something I cherish, and I'm equally enthusiastic about learning from others, regardless of their position or expertise. I also seek empirical evidence through proofs of concept, prototypes, and external research.
- Clarity and Simplicity in Communication: I'm honing my skills to communicate more directly and simply, especially with individuals of varying technical backgrounds.
- I actively seek out feedback like a detective on a mystery case, and welcome it in real-time to solve the puzzle of self-improvement.
- My goal is to offer constructive feedback like a friendly coach – always aiming to help and inspire, benefiting those who might gain from my perspective.