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Do your workforce members actually understand how you’re employed? Just lately, I created a “Working with Our Leaders” useful resource for Lemonlight workforce members that outlines how I desire to work, collaborate and lead. Impressed by Claire Hughes Johnson, the previous COO of Stripe, every member of our management workforce now has their very own model of this handbook.
As I wrote my profile (which you’ll 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 workforce collaboration — and what yours ought to embody.
Why it issues
Making a “The best way to Work With Me” handbook is a worthwhile train for any chief. It offers a transparent framework on your workforce to know how you’re employed greatest, fostering higher communication and collaboration. Listed here are a number of the particular advantages.
Achieve readability by yourself preferences and tendencies
Writing your handbook is not only a device on your workforce — it is a worthwhile reflection train for you as a pacesetter. You would possibly assume precisely how you use, what drives you and what you anticipate from others, however till you sit down and clarify these ideas, there could also be issues you have not totally explored. This course of forces you to assume critically about your management fashion, serving to you discover areas the place it’s possible you’ll be unclear or inconsistent.
For instance, you would possibly uncover that you just desire direct communication however have by no means clearly defined that to your workforce, 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 put in writing 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 choices and create a piece setting that aligns along with your values.
Set clear expectations for workforce collaboration
Subsequent, your workforce cannot meet your wants if you happen to’ve by no means communicated what these wants are. A “The best way to Work With Me” handbook bridges this hole by offering a transparent, concise information that outlines your expectations, preferences and dealing fashion.
For instance, in my handbook, I clarify that if we have mentioned one thing in particular person and I owe you motion objects, sending me a follow-up e mail ensures I do not miss something. This would possibly appear to be a small element, however with out sharing this, workforce members might 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 on your workforce. They’re going to know precisely how one can strategy duties, how one can talk with you and how one can 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 accomplished.
Plus, setting clear expectations helps construct belief. When your workforce is aware of that you’ve got 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 workforce the place everybody feels valued and understood.
Associated: The Energy of Clear Expectations Between Managers and Staff
Open the dialogue for others to share
Lastly, as leaders, we set the tone for the way our groups function and the way folks talk with one another. By creating and sharing your “The best way to Work With Me” handbook, you are not simply clarifying your personal preferences — you are additionally encouraging others to do the identical. This may result in a extra open, clear work setting the place everybody feels comfy sharing their very own working kinds.
Think about if each workforce 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 persons are open about how they work greatest, groups can collaborate extra successfully and lean on one another’s strengths.
For instance, some workforce members would possibly desire detailed written directions, whereas others would possibly desire verbal communication. Understanding these preferences might help in assigning duties, organizing conferences and structuring workflows. Encouraging your workforce to create their very own manuals additionally promotes self-awareness, requiring them to mirror on their very own working kinds and talk them successfully.
What to incorporate
When creating your “The best way to Work With Me” handbook, take into consideration the important thing facets of your working fashion that would impression your workforce. 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 fashion, typical work hours, expectations from direct reviews, management fashion, the way you construction your day, the way you wish to run conferences and anything 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 writer (Augusten Burroughs) and even my outcomes from frequent persona assessments. Including a “human” component to your management might help your workforce join with you on a extra private degree.
If you happen to assume your teammates — and particularly your direct reviews — already know this details about you, I encourage you to put in writing it out. You is likely to be shocked by what you find out about your self and the way a lot readability it brings to your workforce!
Associated: Why Self-Reflection and Self-Consciousness Are Important Expertise for Any Entrepreneur