Imagine stepping into a new team and instantly knowing what makes everyone tick. You’d know their favorite snacks, their preferred communication styles, when they’re most open to collaboration, and how to truly engage with them. Now, imagine they knew all of this about you. Think of the wasted time you could reclaim by accelerating that initial “getting to know you” phase and diving straight into productive work.
Inspired by Innovation
In 2013, Adam Bryant penned a New York Times article titled “Want to Know Me? Just Read My User Manual,” sparking an idea that resonated deeply. Inspired by this concept, the Hurt Hub provides every new team member with their own personalized “Best Practices: Working With Me” guide the moment they join.
These guides are delightfully straightforward: they’re essentially a user manual for how to collaborate effectively with each individual. They clearly outline your preferences, your pet peeves, and your optimal working methods. New hires can quickly review these guides to shorten their learning curve, and existing team members can consult them before collaborating on a project, essentially giving everyone a guide to foster smoother, more efficient interactions.
The Ripple Effect: From Empathy to Excellence
The benefits of “Working With Me” guides extend far beyond simple efficiency. Teams that embrace this practice often experience a significant reduction in conflict. When team members have the opportunity to understand each other’s perspectives and preferences upfront, empathy naturally flourishes. This deeper understanding cultivates increased team cohesion, satisfaction, and overall happiness.
It’s also a powerful tool for navigating the inherent differences within any group:
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- We all possess unique personalities.
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- Our lives have been shaped by vastly different experiences.
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- We each have distinct communication styles.
Yet, too often, the workplace expects, and sometimes even forces, us to interact in a rigid, “one-size-fits-all” manner. “Working With Me” guides break down these artificial barriers, celebrating individuality rather than stifling it.
As Ivar Kroghrud, the author of this concept, shares:
“I tried to think of a way to shorten the learning curve when you build new teams and bring new people on board. The worst way of doing it, which is, regrettably, the normal way, is that people just go into a new team and start working on the task at hand, and then spend so much time battling different personalities without really being aware of it. Instead, you should stop and get to know people before you move forward.”
— Ivar Kroghrud
Crafting Your Own “User Manual”
Creating your “Working With Me” guide is a simple and insightful process. After all, you’re the expert on yourself! Here’s how we guide our team members at the Hurt Hub:
1. The Inside Scoop: Unfiltered Insights
Begin by honestly reflecting on and documenting these personal aspects:
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- What are some honest, unfiltered things about you that others should know?
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- What truly drives you nuts or frustrates you?
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- What are your unique quirks or habits?
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- How can someone earn an extra gold star with you?
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- What qualities do you particularly value in your colleagues?
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- What are some common misunderstandings about you that you’d like to clarify?
2. Mastering Collaboration: Your Interaction Style
Next, focus on how you prefer to interact and collaborate with others:
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- What’s your approach to coaching others to do their best work and develop their talents?
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- What’s the most effective way to communicate with you (e.g., email, quick chat, scheduled meeting)?
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- What’s the best way to convince you to consider a new idea or approach?
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- How do you prefer to give feedback?
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- How do you prefer to receive feedback?
3. Make It Uniquely YOU!
This is your guide, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine!
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- Add visuals, photos, or any additional information not covered by the questions above. You’re not a template, and your guide shouldn’t be either. Feel free to color outside the lines!
Keep It Fresh!
In the fast-paced world of knowledge work, things change constantly, and people evolve just as rapidly. That’s why keeping your “Working With Me” guide up-to-date is crucial. It ensures your team members are always interacting with the current version of you. We recommend reviewing and reflecting on your guide at least once every six months to ensure it accurately reflects your evolving preferences and working style.
The Hurt Hub’s Verdict: A Culture of Connection
At The Hurt Hub, “Working With Me” guides are more than just a tool for streamlining team interactions, they’re a cornerstone of our culture. They foster an environment built on understanding, authenticity, and mutual respect. By encouraging team members to reflect on and openly share their working styles, preferences, and quirks, we create a space where differences are not just acknowledged but truly celebrated.
This practice has become an integral part of our onboarding process, making new team members feel welcomed, understood, and empowered to bring their whole, authentic selves to work from day one. Whether you’re a startup founder, a team leader, or an individual contributor, implementing “Working With Me” guides could be the key to building stronger, more effective, and more harmonious working relationships. After all, the best teams aren’t built on conformity, but on embracing and understanding what makes each of us unique.
Ready to Empower Your Team?
Ready to bring “Working With Me” guides to your team? Fill out the form below to get your free Working With Me template delivered straight to your inbox. If you’re looking for additional support, our team at the Hurt Hub can also provide tailored consulting guidance to help strengthen communication, alignment, and team performance.
Written by Evan Rozantes
