Communication

🚄 I appreciate prompt responses and acknowledgments for written communications. A simple “got it” or “on it” message works well for me, signaling that our discussions are progressing smoothly. For informational updates marked as “FYI,” there’s no need for a response.

🧑‍💻 I’m committed to being accessible whenever you require my support. I prioritize my interactions with my direct reports as the most valuable part of my week. If you propose a meeting or conversation, please take the initiative to find a suitable time and schedule it on my calendar. Similarly, if I propose a discussion, I will take the lead in finding an appropriate time. Let’s avoid vague statements like “let’s discuss” and ensure we follow up by specifying when we’ll have that discussion.

🧑‍💻 I understand that real-time responses aren’t always necessary, but I do expect us to follow through on everything we initiate. If a task or issue falls within your responsibilities, I’ll do my best to delegate it to you and trust your prioritization process, as long as you maintain transparency about it. Repeating requests or inquiries frustrates me, so let’s work together to ensure we close the loop effectively.

Collaboration

🤝 I’m fully committed to fostering a strong and trusting partnership with you. To reciprocate and strengthen our collaboration, here are some helpful tips:

🙋 Ask plenty of questions. If your inquiries cease, I may perceive it as a potential concern. Initially, information will be readily shared from me and others, but as time progresses, I’ll expect you to take the reins in directing your learning. This is because I won’t always be aware of what you’ve grasped or the specific context you require.

Given the intricacies of our industry, your proactive approach to learning will be invaluable. Especially in the early stages, I’m enthusiastic about helping you understand our industry and our business.

As time goes by, we’ll engage in mutual learning, sharing insights and knowledge gained from various sources. It becomes quite enjoyable when information flows freely in both directions.

🗣️ To emphasise my previous point differently, if you don’t see the need for my involvement in your role, our alignment may start to drift. I might assume that you’re not making an effort to understand the broader context or that you’re responding to the wrong cues.

My role is to assist you in filtering out the noise and amplifying what truly matters, ensuring that we’re both on the right path. Moreover, this process offers the added advantage of us getting to know each other’s thought processes, preferences, areas of disagreement, and how we collaborate. It’s crucial that we engage in this early on to build a solid foundation.

Channel Preferences are …

🗣 Face to Face I’m always happy for a quick face to face conversation / discussion as long as it doesn’t derail my commitments

💬 Slack I’m pretty much always here. Best for quick conversations that are not time sensitive. Start a huddle and I will join if I can

📫 Email Best for initiating a larger topic. I consider this to be async communication so don’t expect a reply straight away