Creating an enigma-free zone

When you buy a new gadget, you get an instruction manual to help you work out how to get optimal performance, along with some trouble shooting tips.

If only people came with an instruction manual… *wistful gaze into the distance*

Well, they can!

Last year, we had a relatively new team – new people and new roles – so I was keen to deepen our understanding of what makes each of us tick. If the goal is a happy and productive team, surely a better understanding of everyone's motivations and work preferences would go a long way towards this?

There’s plenty of psychometric tools and personality tests, but I wanted to try something a little different.

Task brief: you are a complex product. Create an instruction manual for new users: "A beginner's guide to <insert name>. For optimal performance, please read the instructions carefully."

Creating a personal instruction manual

Each team member was asked to create a user-friendly instruction manual about themselves. The manual was then presented to the broader team and could be text-based or graphically presented; humorous or earnest.

Below are some of the suggested questions, but the content and structure remained at the individual’s discretion.

Product description

• What phrase would appear on your packaging? Use 15 words or less to describe who you are and what you bring to the team.

Getting started

• How do we turn on your ignition? What's the key thing that motivates you? What do you love to do?
• If we were only going to read this one section, what do we need to know about you?

Exciting features and functions

• What are your key features/capabilities?
• Are there any features of which we might not be aware?

Use and handling

• What's your optimal work environment?
• What are your peak hours of productivity?
• Processing inputs. How do you like to receive/provide feedback? What’s the best way to communicate with you? How do you like to receive/process information? How do you like to arrive at a decision? (E.g. talk it out vs quiet reflection.)
• What do you value?
• What makes you feel fantastic/dreadful?

Precautions: safe use and handling (E.g. best not approached before a morning coffee?)

• What won’t you tolerate?
• What do you struggle with/find frustrating?
• What might people misunderstand about you?

Troubleshooting: tips and hints

• What are your tell-tale signs that indicate stress/frustration and how should we respond?
• What do you struggle with and how can we help?

Like all activities, the best results are garnered when people are comfortable enough to be open and honest – the more candid and authentic, the better.

A year on from our session, I still regularly draw on the learnings we gained. The improved empathy helps us unleash the full potential – not only of individuals, but also of the team as a whole. Just read the instructions and handle with care.