aTORO Thought: A Guide to Me
A GUIDE TO ME: An exercise and reflection in honesty about how I work, enjoy...
You Get the Best of Me When…
· I’m able to say hello first and then launch into business.
· I feel prepared or supported in being flexible with details until finalized choices are made.
· I’m surrounded by those willing to make mistakes, like me, and learn from them.
· I can take a quick walk to break up the day.
Style...
I honestly wish I had words to describe my leadership style, I can say that I know when I work best and feel happy in my place of work and with the product I’m creating.
I love to know…
· The back story
o Why is something the way it is and how did it get that way: This stops me from asking too many, “change oriented” questions and to get back to the task on hand. Once I stop worrying about if I can adapt a thing, I can get right back to work to simply make it happen with the highest efficiency and excellence.
· How I can help something succeed
o Where do I fit into the success of a project, a task, a person’s life: At heart I want to be able to bring a sense of fulfillment to those around me. That everything that went towards a goal was to help that goal and not hinder it.
· When something is wrong
o I worry constantly that I’ve disappointed managers or am not doing things correctly: This has led me to overcompensate at work by continuing working and engaging the same way unless told to do so differently. I won’t assume it’s wrong unless I’m told by the people closest to me that it is.
· I laugh at the end of a meeting
Communication Stations...
· Weekly catch ups in person and regularly scheduled
o This allows for an overview that can be months in the future to be discussed.
· Email updates with expectation of response
o This allows me to update any working documents, set more meetings, or just gives a sense of the project moving along.
· Drop-ins for 5-15min topics
o I prefer having things off a to-do and also love interacting randomly with co-workers.
I Love Being…
· CC’d on emails
o It loops me into a conversation and allows me to have down time to process what’s been discussed so far.
· Invited to sit in on meetings
o Even if there’s nothing to add, I love watching people interact and talk through disagreements in professional settings. I end up learning so much about how to communicate in small and large groups.
· Told the truth
o It helps me to understand and engage in an appropriate way with co-workers and collaborate on projects.
What People Misunderstand About Me...
· My face is my enemy
o When I’m not smiling it doesn’t mean I’m upset (not always), trust that I will be honest and speak up, otherwise, I promise it’s just my face and I’m engaging, listening and working with you towards the solution.
· Logistics slow down brainstorming energies
o When I ask logistical questions, it’s not because I’m opposed to an idea, it’s because in my head, I’m already working on how to make it a reality and I want to move it forward effectively. This comes off as being a “buzz-kill” in a brainstorm but really, I’m just excited too!
· Moments of failure shut me down
o Even it it’s as small as a typo, some moments of failure cause me to freeze and disengage until I can mentally re-group (usually in under 30 minutes). I’m processing, not blaming, and need the time to understand the mistake and attempt to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
Family Motto...
“Always treat others as you like to be treated” and then when that doesn’t work “Meet them where they’re at”.
I’ve learned that the flaw with the golden rule is that it assumes people want what you want. That’s not allowing difference into a life and I love the opposites in my life and my work is better because of it.
As an FYI, this idea of a guide was put into the universe by Adam Grant, an organizational leadership expert and Wharton professor, when he shared a post with Adam Bryant’s concept. Happy googling!