A ‘How to work with me’ is a great way to communicate clear expectations and preferred ways of working, thus optimising collaboration and avoiding misunderstandings. The approach was first proposed by Ben Dattner in ‘Writing your managerial user's manual’ in 2008. It provides a transparent framework that increases both efficiency and satisfaction.
Best practices that can be addressed:
- Meetings & communication:
- Structured meetings: describe what you consider a good meeting and how you like to plan them.
- Clear communication channels: Use specific communication channels for different purposes (e.g. email for formal announcements, Slack/Whatsapp for quick arrangements).
- Availability: Indicate when and how you can best be reached and which communication methods you prefer (e.g. phone calls for urgent matters, emails for detailed information).
- Feedback culture:
- Regular feedback sessions: Regularly give and request feedback, both informally and formally. This promotes continuous learning and good relationships.
- For example: ‘I appreciate constructive feedback and prefer to receive it directly and promptly, preferably in a face-to-face meeting or a video call.’
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Last updated on 3/12/2025.
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