Understanding How I Work Documents

A "How I Work" document, also known as a Leadership User Manual, is an internal guide for new team members to understand an executive's work preferences and thought processes, improving team collaboration and efficiency.

Purpose and Value

<aside> 💡 Think of How I Work documents as a preview to working with you.

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It quickly acquaints new team members with the executive's working style for effective collaboration.
Its goal is not to micromanage but to provide helpful information for success.
Creating one prompts the executive to articulate their professional style and can have additional benefits beyond its initial purpose.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/dirEewmgBnw

Style

1. Focus on Servitude

<aside> 💡 Writing vulnerably can expose the human side of the executive and achieve the goal of focusing on servitude.

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Present a feeling of servitude in the style of the document to reflect the document's purpose of helping the reader.
Start the relationship positively and avoid a bossy tone or presenting the document as a top-down set of orders. Instead, communicate expectations and specific facts that empower the reader.
The tone should be intimate, like a "love letter," and focus on presenting helpful information.

2. More Casual Than Professional

<aside> 💡 The tone should be between "buddy casual" and "professional casual."

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Avoid being overly conservative or professional in tone and aim for a tone closer to casual.