Creating a "How to Work With Me" Manual for Your Team

Have you ever wondered if your team members truly understand how you work? Author Hope Horner, inspired by Stripe's former COO, Claire Hughes Johnson, advocates for leaders to create a "Working with Our Leaders" resource, outlining their preferred work styles, collaboration methods, and leadership approach. This manual can be a game-changer for your team, fostering better communication and collaboration.

• This manual provides a clear framework for your team to understand how you work best.
• It helps gain clarity on your own preferences and tendencies.
• It sets clear expectations for team collaboration.
• It encourages open dialogue for others to share their working styles.

Benefits of Creating a "How to Work With Me" Manual

There are several advantages to creating a manual that outlines your working style, preferences, and expectations:

• Gain Clarity on Your Own Preferences and Tendencies: Writing the manual is a reflective exercise for you as a leader. You might be surprised at how much you learn about your own working style and how to improve communication within your team.
• Set Clear Expectations for Team Collaboration: By clearly outlining your preferences, you remove the guesswork for your team. They'll know exactly how to approach tasks, how to communicate with you, and how to align their work with your expectations.
• Build Trust: When your team knows that you've taken the time to communicate your needs, they'll feel more confident in their interactions with you. This trust is the foundation of a high-performing team where everyone feels valued and understood.
• Open Dialogue for Others to Share: Encouraging others to create their own "How to Work With Me" manuals can lead to a more open and transparent work environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their working styles.

Key Elements to Include in Your Manual

When crafting your "How to Work With Me" manual, consider the key aspects of your working style that could impact your team. These might include:

• Communication Style: Do you prefer in-person meetings, email, instant messaging, or a combination of methods? Are you direct and concise, or do you prefer a more detailed and nuanced approach?
• Typical Work Hours: What are your usual working hours? Are you available for meetings at certain times of the day or week?
• Expectations from Direct Reports: What are your expectations for reporting, deadlines, and feedback?
• Leadership Style: Are you a hands-on leader, or do you prefer to delegate? How do you provide feedback?
• How You Structure Your Day: Do you prefer to work in blocks of time, or do you switch between tasks throughout the day?
• How You Like to Run Meetings: Do you prefer structured agendas, or do you encourage free-flowing discussions?

Add a Personal Touch

Don't be afraid to add a personal touch to your manual. Sharing your hobbies, interests, or personality traits can help your team connect with you on a more personal level. It can also foster a more comfortable and open environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their own preferences and working styles.

Key Takeaways

Creating a "How to Work With Me" manual can be a valuable tool for any leader. It provides a clear framework for your team to understand how you work best, fostering better communication and collaboration.

• The manual helps you gain clarity on your own preferences and tendencies, leading to more effective leadership.
• It sets clear expectations for team collaboration, reducing misunderstandings and frustration.
• It encourages open dialogue for others to share their working styles, creating a more open and transparent work environment.

Conclusion

Don't assume your team already knows how you work. By taking the time to create a "How to Work With Me" manual, you can set the tone for effective team collaboration and build a stronger, more cohesive team.