My User Manual
Copying without shame. That’s what Matt Ballantine has urged me to do through his Play Cards (there may still be another plug for these, though no payment has been offered yet).
So here I am, quickly copying his User Manual concept and creating my own – because I think it is a powerful tool. Not only to help others understand me, better, but also to show that we are not all the same as Delivery Managers.
Some background hints and tips for anyone working with me. Feedback and observations on the content are most welcomed because I don’t know what I don’t know!
Conditions I like to work in
For individual working (writing, preparing presentations) I’m happiest with a set of headphones in, but still surrounded by people. I can get all too easily distracted when on my own.
I find taking calls in an open-plan office challenging because I know I am too loud for those around me, not because of the people around me. I tend to step out of the office to make these
I also love to be stood in front of a whiteboard, even on my own. I may book a room to do this, as working in the open on sensitive things is not a great idea (you don’t always have to work in the open!)
For small group work, I can work just about anywhere, online or in-person.
I love facilitating. I am a frustrated performer, so being in the spotlight or bringing people together doesn’t concern me. Like some board games I am good for 1-99.
My view on hybrid meeting is – NAH. If some are remote, all be remote, even if you’re in the office. That’s not to everyone’s taste – but this is my user manual
Time / Hours I like to work
There are no real hard and fast rules for this, but they are determined by the following factors:
I can do early morning – but the school run is between 8 – 8.45am. I am a family man so accept that, otherwise it won’t work
I prefer mornings, but don’t be surprised if I wander around at 10am to get a coffee while talking to you. Still fully focussed on our discussion. Coffee I can make with my eyes closed. Some meetings too.
I can do lunch, but not every lunch and not when I have something in my calendar
I can do afternoons, but if you’re squeezing in a meeting at 4.45pm because the diaries are full, we both know neither of us want that slot
I can do evenings – but kids and dinner come first. Therefore, I am offline between 6.30 and 8pm
Unless it’s an event, with fair warning – and I might be the last one to turn the lights out
Best ways to communicate with me
If just want a quick and simple answer at work, slack is the tool I use
WhatsApp or Signal are best routes if it’s out of working hours (UK 9-5)
Only my mum texts me. I don’t always respond to every text
If you want anything more than a quick answer, zoom or slack huddle is best
I hate ye olde voice function on a telephone as a medium. I blame my dad who never phones me. He hates it as well
If you invite me to a meeting along with many others, and I am offering nothing in the meeting, I will simply drop off and then explain why after the meeting has finished
How I best receive feedback
Verbally. If you have something to say or share, let’s talk about it. Definitely don’t share it with someone else who will then share it with me
Try not to write it down, as I’ll look for a tone that may or may not be there
Help me improve rather than simply telling me to stop doing things
As Matt says in his, being British we simply just kind of shut down when getting positive feedback. Mentally it feels like there is nothing I can do with that. I just want to keep improving, not celebrate.
Things I need
Time to think if we have a problem. I can give you an answer on the fly, but I need time to confirm the impact of that answer
To flourish, but not waffle. I like creating scenes and stories to get a point across. Don’t cut me short just because you are detail orientated or you need to move forward quickly. This is my user manual, not yours
If you really need something from me, just make that explicit.
A space to rant and moan. Let me be miserable from time to time as it is a release. Keep your extreme positivity and let me just be a grump without being concerned of the impact
Humour at work. I need a space for an appropriate, non-offensive joke, quip, or throwaway line from time to time.
How I learn best
By being thrown in at the deep end and learning on the go
Show me something once and let me try it out
Playing things back out loud and in the open to confirm I have the right idea
Allow me to use tools or ideas to play it back that might make no sense to you, until you can confirm I have the right idea
By ballsing things up. Let me make mistakes along the way
Things I struggle with
Sitting on my hands and dead air. I am a Delivery Lead. My job is to take control of situations where control doesn’t exist
Issues without support or solutions. If we have a technical blocker, I am not the person to resolve that – but I am the person to explain and manage it
Replacing things like for like – that’s not where mine or my teams skill lies
Metrics that are subjective or colour coded
Not being able to tell the truth as to how bad things are or could be, just in order to keep the status quo
Being there at the end of projects – I don’t get a lot of joy out of finishing things off
Things I love
Trying new things – and documenting (blogging) the outcome
Starting and explaining the why at the beginning of engagements with new and existing partners
Being asked for help
Introducing people to one another
Helping communities to grow
Seeing others succeed
Other things to know about me
I am people not technology or methodology focussed. It has to work for the people involved. If it doesn’t, then it’s irrelevant how shiny and slick the thing is
I like hats to protect my balding head, not to create a statement
Don’t offer to take me for a coffee in a chain. Let me embrace the independent spirit of trying things new
I have spent time in coaching to the point where I no longer have any interest in a career ladder or hierarchy for its own sake
I still don’t know what I want to do when I grow up. I’m quite happy with that.
If I feel like I am standing still, I will let you know and we can agree how to manage that collectively
Matt’s user manual can be found at https://mmitii.mattballantine.com/2023/04/22/my-user-manual/
His play cards are still available to purchase at https://stamplondon.co.uk/
/END