New Year – New Manual of Me!

I realised recently I haven’t revisited my manual of me since 2021, so this feels more than a bit overdue.

Contacting me:

• My hours: My core hours are generally between 8:30am – 5:30pm; but I’m generally available and responding to messages anytime between 8am to 8pm (GMT).
• Contact preferences:
  • Text/WhatsApp; if it’s urgent.
  • Teams; if it’s a quick question or work focused discussion.
  • Email; for things I need time to consider, or don’t need to rush to respond.
  • Slack; if it’s just banter or more team based discussions; but I have notifications turned off as they were too distracting.
• My response times: I respond best to quick and easy requests that I can deal with straight away. If it needs proper consideration it will probably have to wait until I have time set aside to be at my desk where I’m not in meetings. I try to set aside some time each day to respond to anything that needs more consideration. If I haven’t got back to you within a day, and you need a response; please send me a message to remind me.
• If I don’t respond it’s best to: Text me or ring me.

My Preferred work approach:

• Where I work: I predominantly prefer having 2-3 days in the office (and one of those tends to be at the client office); my home office is Manchester; and the rest of the time I tend to work from home. I tend to work out of our London office a few times a month.
• Preferred type of work: I love coming up with ideas and solving problems; I love working with a team or one or two others to bounce ideas around; I love making a difference, and improving things for people; I love getting to know people, what their interests are, what makes them tick. I LOVE a good workshop!
• Things that might affect my work: Constant interruptions or inability to approach tasks in a way the suits me. I don’t do well when I’m feeling stifled.
• Open to colleagues approaching me with work questions: Always!
• Preferred learning style: Interactive. I learn best by doing.
• Specific skills: Problem solving. Delivering Products and Services that meet users needs, designing for vulnerable users and ensuring Products are accessible. Using data to drive improvements in performance deliverables to deliver the right outcomes. Developing innovative strategies and visions based on user needs. Mentoring, coaching, working in the open to show good leadership, sharing best practices and developing capability.
• Work habits that assist me: Flexibility and collaboration. I work best when working with others. Being able to have meetings or conversations transcribed is massively beneficial for me so I can read back notes afterwards to remind me of any actions etc.
• People can assist me by: Helping me understand priorities so I can balance my work in order to get the right things done at the right time.
• Preferred work environment: I have a high tolerance for background noise, but I don’t like harsh or unexpected noise; similarly with lighting, harsh lighting can give me migraines.
• Travel: I’m happy to travel, and do over nights for work; but I prefer not to travel on Mondays and Fridays as those are the days I tend to do school drop offs and pick ups; or have medical appointments for my son due to his disability. If I need to travel on those days; I can; but I will need plenty of notice.

How to give me feedback:

• Praise: honestly, it still makes me feel awkward; but I’m much better at receiving it now without feeling the need to run away. Doing it in public makes me feel very awkward; written praise I can read in private is better.
• Delivery of critical feedback: Private one to one conversation.
• Timing for critical feedback: Ideally at the end of the day so I can reflect on it.
• Framing of critical feedback: Constructive; help me understand what I can do better.

My Strengths:

• Problem solving. Spotting gaps and reviewing processes to identify opportunities. I want to make things better.
• I am adaptable and resilient, I will always try to keep going and be flexible in my approach in order to deliver the right thing. I’m good in challenging situations. I get things done. I’m best when I have a problem to fix.
• I enjoy working in fast paced environments, I’m best when I’m busy and getting things done.
• Developing relationships with teams, stakeholders and internal/external users; I’m a people person and I’m at my best when working with others.
• Mentoring, coaching and up-skilling others; I actively enjoy helping others too succeed.
• I am incredibly loyal, if we are friends/colleagues I will always have your back, if you need help I will always do my best for you.

My Weaknesses:

• I’ve worked hard to improve my organisational skills, but I know they are not my greatest strengths. When it comes to organising things, I tend to surround myself with those who are better at it than me; honestly don’t ask me to organise things unless there is no other option.
• When asked for written briefs etc I do better when I’ve got the chance to run it past someone else before submitting.
• Linked to above; my memory isn’t great, and I’m usually balancing a lot of things, so if I forget something, do remind me; I won’t mind, it’ll help me. I write EVERYTHING down to help me remember.
• I’m not always great with connecting names to faces, even of people I know, so please don’t be offended if I need a reminder.
• Eye contact, it’s not you, it’s me. I am listening and I do care. The same with fiddling or doodling. It’s how my brain works, please don’t take it as a sign I’m not paying attention because I am.

Other things to know about me:

• I am neurodivergent, I have ADHD, Dyspraxia and Sensory Processing Disorder; things like eye contact, doodling, memory etc are all part of this. But I’m good at thinking outside of the box and approaching things from a fresh angle.
• I’m a mum to a neurodivergent child, I work hard to balance my work and home life, and talk openly about the challenges of that in order to support and encourage others to do the same.
• I’m a ridiculous extravert and a massive geek, I recharge by spending time with my tribe.
• People don’t always think I’m taking things seriously, but I’m very committed and passionate about what I do, I will take on the toughest situations, but I’ll do it with a smile.
• I’m queer and I live in Manchester with my wife, my child and our two dogs. I use She/They pronouns.

Interesting fact:

I mentioned last time that I LARP; Live Action Role Play; which is still something I’m doing… perhaps the interesting thing about it now is that one of my characters I’ve been playing for 6 years! And am about to enter my 4th year as a Senator.