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Do your staff members actually understand how you’re employed? Just lately, I created a “Working with Our Leaders” useful resource for Lemonlight staff members that outlines how I choose to work, collaborate and lead. Impressed by Claire Hughes Johnson, the previous COO of Stripe, every member of our management staff now has their very own model of this handbook.
As I wrote my profile (which you’ll be able to see right here!), I spotted how a lot we assume our colleagues perceive our working kinds with out ever explicitly sharing them. This is why I imagine each chief ought to create a handbook to set the tone for efficient staff collaboration — and what yours ought to embrace.
Why it issues
Making a “Find out how to Work With Me” handbook is a beneficial train for any chief. It offers a transparent framework in your staff to know how you’re employed finest, fostering higher communication and collaboration. Listed here are among the particular advantages.
Achieve readability by yourself preferences and tendencies
Writing your handbook is not only a device in your staff — it is a beneficial reflection train for you as a frontrunner. You would possibly assume 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 management type, serving to you discover areas the place you could be unclear or inconsistent.
For instance, you would possibly uncover that you just choose direct communication however have by no means clearly defined that to your staff, resulting in misunderstandings. Otherwise you would possibly understand that you just 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 personal tendencies, the higher you may handle your reactions, make knowledgeable selections and create a piece setting that aligns along with your values.
Set clear expectations for staff collaboration
Subsequent, your staff cannot meet your wants in the event you’ve by no means communicated what these wants are. A “Find out how to Work With Me” handbook bridges this hole by offering a transparent, concise information that outlines your expectations, preferences and dealing type.
For instance, in my handbook, I clarify that if we have mentioned one thing in particular person and I owe you motion gadgets, sending me a follow-up e-mail ensures I do not miss something. This would possibly look like a small element, however with out sharing this, staff members may need to guess at finest practices. These assumptions can result in inefficiencies, miscommunications and frustration.
By clearly outlining your preferences, you take away the guesswork in your staff. They’re going to know precisely methods to method duties, methods to talk with you and methods to align their work along with your expectations. Everybody is aware of what’s anticipated of them, which reduces the possibilities of misunderstandings and makes it simpler to get issues achieved.
Plus, setting clear expectations helps construct belief. When your staff is aware of that you’ve got taken the time to speak your wants, they’re going to really feel extra assured of their interactions with you. This belief is the muse of a high-performing staff the place everybody feels valued and understood.
Associated: The Energy of Clear Expectations Between Managers and Workers
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 “Find out how to Work With Me” handbook, you are not simply clarifying your personal preferences — you are additionally encouraging others to do the identical. This will result in a extra open, clear work setting the place everybody feels snug sharing their very own working kinds.
Think about if each staff member had their very own “methods to work with me” information. It will normalize discussions about particular person wants, preferences and dealing kinds, fostering a tradition of mutual respect and understanding. When individuals are open about how they work finest, groups can collaborate extra successfully and lean on one another’s strengths.
For instance, some staff members would possibly choose detailed written directions, whereas others would possibly choose verbal communication. Understanding these preferences may help in assigning duties, organizing conferences and structuring workflows. Encouraging your staff to create their very own manuals additionally promotes self-awareness, requiring them to replicate on their very own working kinds and talk them successfully.
What to incorporate
When creating your “Find out how to Work With Me” handbook, take into consideration the important thing elements of your working type that would influence your staff. For instance, my profile contains sensible particulars like how and once I reply to emails, just a few skilled areas I am specializing in bettering 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 type, typical work hours, expectations from direct studies, management type, the way you construction your day, the way you wish to run conferences and the rest that would facilitate smoother collaboration.
Do not be afraid so as to add a private contact, too. My handbook contains tidbits about my hobbies, my canine Oliver, my favourite creator (Augusten Burroughs) and even my outcomes from widespread character exams. Including a “human” component to your management may help your staff join with you on a extra private stage.
In case you assume your teammates — and particularly your direct studies — already know this details about you, I encourage you to jot down it out. You may be shocked by what you study your self and the way a lot readability it brings to your staff!
Associated: Why Self-Reflection and Self-Consciousness Are Important Expertise for Any Entrepreneur
