Play of the month: Does your team know the new you?

[#1]

We know a lot has changed during your time away from a physical office and that you’ve probably made some realizations when it comes to the ways in which you prefer to work. But do your teammates know what’s up? 🤔

Maybe you’ve shifted your working hours to accommodate a new hobby you’ve picked up. It’s possible that your preferences for all the various ways your team can reach and  communicate with you have changed. Or maybe the type of work environment you find yourself thriving in now is completely different from what it once was. Whatever the case may be, it’s important that the rest of your team knows the best way to work with the new you.

Personal user manuals not only help you and your team get to know and respect each other better, but they’ll also be helpful references as future teammates join. (And if you've made one of these in the past, now's the time to give it a refresh!) 

We’d love to chat with you about how your work preferences and styles have changed over the past year and a half, and hear about what other important items you'll be adding to your user manual. Let us know below!

[DPKJ]

Nice idea.

[Alex Koxaras _Relational_]

This could be an icebreaker among teams. Clearly a good idea!

[Kristen Roth]

It absolutely could be, @Alex Koxaras _Relational_! My team is planning to take a few minutes durning our weekly team meeting each week to have one person go over their User Manual with the rest of the team. It'll be a great way to learn even more about each other.

[Alex Koxaras _Relational_]

Yes it would definitely be a great way to learn more! I honestly believe that all teams should behave like this. Unfortunately, you can't enforce anyone to be honest and open. It's all about (company's) culture :D  

[Shrikant Wagh]

nice idea, promote your genuine-self :-)

[Attila Bódis]

Great and simple! :) 

[Olga Videc]

This is great, especially for people who changed their work during this time. 

[Reply Test Group]

Good idea ;)

[Huwen Arnone _Deiser_]

This is actually a useful idea. I had a very descriptive biography in my personal space, but I will actually implement something similar. Thank you!

[Kishan Sharma]

Great idea to know more about your team!

[Caroline R]

I love it! Will share this with my team! :) 

[Ajay _view26_]

Great Idea!

[nina_schmidt]

Great idea! 

[Svenja Lorenzen]

Loving this idea! 💙 I think everyone in the company should have a page like this in the personal space.

Two things I would add:

• How you can recognize I'm not doing well
• Things that make me happy/Things I enjoy if you like to do me a favor

[Suvradip Paul]

This is a great exercise to know people in a squad. Thanks @Kristen Roth for sharing. I would try and let you know my feedback on this.

Cheers

Suvradip

[Kristen Roth]

Those are great additions, @Svenja Lorenzen !

[Kristen Roth]

Please do, @Suvradip Paul !

[Prashant Sangappa Shivashimpi]

Hi @Kristen Roth ,

This is really excellent idea.. Great stuff.. Thanks for sharing.

BR,

Prashant.

[Colum McAndrew]

Getting to know your workmates preferences is a great way to ensure effective communication. We're all different, but we need to remind ourselves of this. As a Manager, I'd also add that knowing what makes an employee tick is vital to getting the most out of them.

[OTOR JOHN STEPHEN]

This is a great idea.
Every member will get to know each other very people.

[Sedera Randria]

I'm not sure if my teammates have all the time and are comfortable writing a personal user manual.
We frequently review team objectives + adjust Working Agreements.

[Vronik]

Good idea, thanks !!!

[Esme Crutchley]

I have a 'Working with Esme Handbook' in all the proposals that I send to clients, that I co-wrote with my VA. Not only does my VA know how I prefer to work, but my clients are aware front a centre of my working hours, that I prefer to communicate on Voxer, a quick reference for their timezone and mine and what'll happen if they can't attend a session.

[Alexander Bondarev]

What an excellent idea! I will try it with my team! Thanks!

[Ram Kumar Aravindakshan _Adaptavist_]

Very good article. Will share with my team.