An Instruction Manual For Managers
I came across an article a while ago about a manager who had written a README for new staff. It was designed to help people engage with and understand them better. As a manager, you know your staff - mostly - from their CV and how they work, from one-to-ones and other forums, but do they really know you?
The manager README or user guide is document (could be a deck, or a word doc - anything really) which your staff can read to understand how to work with you.
It might contain the goals and metrics your measured by, whether you’re a morning or evening person, some personal details, how you prefer to be contacted, when you’d like to have meetings and “what to do if…” playbooks for working with you.
I think this is a great idea. It sets some ground rules and boundaries that both parties know to stick to. It also forces you, as a manager, to really consider your constraints, boundaries and ideal methods of engaging with and being engaged by your staff.
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