Manual of me: A guide to Work Better Together
In both social and professional environments, we often expect others to conform to our way of doing things. We have our own rules and work styles, and when someone acts differently, it can lead to frustration. It’s essential to remember that each person has their unique style, skills, and expectations.
In Trendyol, we value the diverse perspectives that come from having team members in different cities and countries. We recognize that as we grow, understanding our colleagues’ personalities and work preferences can become increasingly challenging.
To address this, we’ve introduced an exciting method called the “Manual of Me,” which we’ll discuss in this article, complete with real-world examples. We’ll explore how you can implement and benefit from this document in your professional life.
Table of contents
- What is the “Manual of Me?”
- Strategies for Creating Your Own Document Using a Template
- Why You Need an Internal Cheat Sheet with Real-World Examples
What is the “Manual of Me?”
Most companies traditionally used the DISC theory (Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness) to analyze employees’ personalities. This theory helped understand different behavior styles. However, with the rise of remote work, it has become more challenging to grasp our colleagues’ personalities.
The “Manual of Me” is a cheat sheet designed to facilitate mutual understanding among team members. It is also referred to as “How to Work with Me,” “My User Manual,” or “Personal User Manual.” The concept of leaders benefiting from the Manual of Me was first introduced by Adam Bryant in The New York Times.
In every team, there are diverse personalities, perspectives, and work styles. Often, we expect others to understand us without clear communication, leading to problems. The Manual of Me aims to help colleagues understand how each member prefers to communicate and work.
Strategies for Creating Your Own Document Using a Template
If you decide to create your own Manual of Me, consider the following points:
- Maintain an open mind, recognizing that people may have different thought processes.
- When writing, express your feelings honestly; only you know what you need.
- Articulate your needs clearly, as others may not be aware of them.
- Think deeply about what is essential to you while working.
- Be concise and to the point; avoid lengthy explanations.
- Include important points while avoiding unnecessary complexity.
In Trendyol, we have developed a simple template for our internal teams, consisting of a one-page document. This template includes basic information about team members and the team itself. The main section covers six headings:
- Start with
- I struggle with
- In a meeting
- I love when you
- I am a/an
- What is interesting about me
Start with:
This section outlines how you prefer written or verbal communication to begin. It helps others understand your communication preferences and needs.
For example:
- Share reasons, as I work on multiple projects simultaneously and may forget earlier topics.
- Indicate urgency if a topic is pressing to prioritize it.
I struggle with:
Here, you can list aspects that make you uncomfortable or hinder your productivity. By identifying your challenges, you enable colleagues to avoid behaviors that irritate you.
For example:
- Interruptions from multiple channels are difficult for me to handle.
- I find it challenging to focus on long paragraphs during working hours.
In a meeting:
This section discusses how a meeting host can keep you engaged and effective. It allows you to communicate your meeting preferences.
For example:
- Ensure participants know the meeting’s subject in advance.
- Starting with a casual chat helps me get in the right mindset.
- Respect my input and actively engage with my ideas.
I love when you:
Share your personal preferences in one-on-one interactions, which can save time and effort in getting to know you. You can write about your personal feelings, your sensitive sides and everything in this part. Just let us know what you love ❤
For example:
- Discuss your travel plans and ideas.
- Provide feedback promptly without waiting for scheduled meetings.
- Encourage open and transparent communication.
- Stop judgmental and commanding statements.
I am a/an:
Share honest characteristics or unique traits to prevent misunderstandings. By explaining your unique qualities, you help others understand why you act in certain ways.
For example:
- I have astigmatism, so if I don’t wave back, it’s because I didn’t see you, not because I’m ignoring you.
- I tend to be hyperactive, which may affect my focus if interrupted.
- You may think that I am hurt in some matters because I am very emotional, but I will definitely see their right side.
- I always smile (without being aware).
What is interesting about me:
Share humorous or extraordinary aspects of your personality to make introductions more engaging. This can facilitate conversations and rapport building.
For example:
- I’ve been practicing ceramics for 5 years, creating items for my daily life.
- I’m a cat lover and have two cats, which I love so much that I have tattoos of them.
- I have been practicing boxing for 7 years, but hate every kind of violence.
- I would like to share my experiences with those who may need assistance and support in dealing with Multiple Sclerosis.
We’ve created two templates for teams, both containing the same sections as mentioned above. You can access templates through the links provided.
Why You Need an Internal Cheat Sheet with Real-World Examples
Remote work often limits our interactions to job-related discussions, creating virtual friendships. This can sometimes lead to misunderstandings that are difficult to identify without in-person communication, which often provided opportunities for better self-explanation during coffee breaks and lunchtimes in a traditional office setting.
In both remote and traditional office environments, understanding colleagues’ expectations can pose a significant challenge, especially as teams grow larger. Understanding one another’s behaviors and routines becomes increasingly time-consuming.
The “Manual of Me” cheat sheet is designed to mitigate misunderstandings and reduce the time it takes for team members to adapt to one another. It proves valuable in onboarding processes and assists newly formed teams in building rapport.
In our initial experience with this method within our team, we encountered issues with misunderstandings that were harmful to team morale. Our team consisted of both long-standing and new members, and we aimed to strengthen our relationships.
After implementing the document, we collectively reviewed the manuals and discussed aspects we were previously unaware of. For instance, we discovered that one team member had astigmatism, making it difficult for them to see our waves from a distance. We also realized that all of us were receiving messages on the same topic from different channels. While presenting the example template, we shared our agreements and disagreements, using this meeting as a starting point for deeper understanding.
Witnessing the positive impact, we decided to introduce this method to newly forming development teams, with the goal of fostering a stronger team spirit more rapidly. The presentation aspect was particularly impactful as it highlighted the need to communicate our expectations and motivations. Now, having seen its effectiveness, we plan to incorporate it into our team onboarding processes, viewing it as an engaging and targeted approach.
To achieve the following goals in your team, we recommend creating your own version of the “Manual of Me”:
- Quickly get to know each other.
- Understand how to reach your team members effectively.
- Know each other’s preferences and boundaries.
- Strengthen team relationships through clear communication.
- Gain insight into teammates’ challenges and offer support.
Conclusion
In Trendyol, we emphasize the importance of communication and feedback. To achieve this, we must leave behind assumptions and find ways to understand each other better. Our motto is: “If you want to go fast, work alone; if you want to go farther, work as a team.”
As a member of our team, we encourage you to create your own manuals and assist your colleagues in addressing their challenges. This proactive approach can prevent miscommunication, foster a healthier team structure, and build a stronger team spirit. Let’s learn from each other and grow together.
Want to be a part of our growing company? We’re hiring! Check out our open positions and other media pages from the links below.
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