User Manual

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines. With consistency a great soul has simply nothing to do.­­― Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

When the facts change, I alter my conclusions. What do you do? - John Maynard Keynes

I promise not to exclude from consideration any idea based on its source, but to consider ideas across schools and heritages in order to find the ones that best suit the current situation. - The "Oath of Non-Allegiance"

My style

• I live by my mottos: "Things have a way of working out for me," "Beg forgiveness rather than ask for permission," and "It doesn't hurt to ask"
• I love big challenges that have big outcomes.
• I proceed as if success is inevitable.
• I become bored quickly if I'm no longer learning or if I don't see the project improving.
• I am friendly with almost anyone.
• I am willing to help anyone with anything if asked.
• I am driven by data.
• I never compromise on quality.
• I think out-loud.

What I value

• Having a good relationship with you is very important to me.
• Directness and honesty, even if it's uncomfortable for me to hear.
• Wittiness and humor.
• What’s possible more than what’s present.
• Questions I can't answer, not answers I can't question.

What I don’t have patience for

• I am disturbed by repetitive noises like tapping, drumming, fidgeting, squeaks, and rattles.
• An authority figure or manager that infringes on team autonomy.
• Coming from a position of fear. I understand that some of the things we are working on feel big and scary, and reality is rarely as bad as we imagine.
• Saying one thing and meaning another. i.e. "You're not wrong", "I don't disagree with you", etc
• Gossip, backstabbing, spreading rumors, or any other treacherous behavior.

How to best communicate with me

• Be crisp. Start with the headlines. I prefer bullet points to prose.
• Focus on what we would like to do going forward, not how we got in this situation.
• I love to solve problems, remove barriers and help others move the ball forward.
• I value authenticity, honesty, directness, and transparency.
• If I say something you disagree with, tell me.
• I am hungry to be challenged in thoughtful and constructive ways.
• I respect people who have the confidence to question the status quo.
• I see all feedback as a learning opportunity so I like any feedback to include specific examples and also suggestions on how I could be better.
• I love idea sessions where we can freely think about what is possible without the if's and but's.

How to help me

• Tell me what I need to know, not what you think I want to hear. I prefer radical honesty.
• Nudge me to be quiet if I'm talking too much, or to slow down and explain more if I'm going too quickly.
• Provide opportunities with big challenges that have big outcomes.

What people misunderstand about me

• My approach is more disciplined than it first appears, and it’s one based on personal experience rather than orthodoxy.
• I'll immediately change my mind about anything when presented with new information that shows I'm wrong.
• I am motivated by and always seek to “do the right thing,” and choose to act "for the common good" before seeking personal benefit.
• I am more vulnerable to criticism and rejection than outward appearances would suggest.
• I'm not upset with you, I'm upset about the problem at hand.
• I am far more emotional about things than I want to be. The good news is that I get over things quickly and forgive freely (because that's what I want others to do for me)
• I leave many of my assumptions unsaid. I may sound dogmatic or absolutist, but I'm not. I'm just lazy and don't explicitly state every single. assumption. or underlying fact. Just ask for clarification if you're not sure.
• I have strong opinions but they are loosely held.

Original Idea for this user manual from https://qz.com/1046131/writing-a-user-manual-at-work-makes-teams-less-anxious-and-more-productive/