Boost Team Performance with the 'User Manual to Me
An invaluable tool to help create transparency and build trust
Wouldn’t it be nice if our co-workers came with a user manual? Think of all the time and miscommunication we could save each other if we understood each other's work styles, pet peeves, or areas where we need support.
As teams constantly evolve through new initiatives, organizational changes, and the integration of fresh talent, leaders have the challenge of quickly establishing and maintaining morale and cohesion.
An immensely helpful tool I use and recommend to my clients, which may seem unconventional at first glance, is the 'User Manual to Me.' It’s a simple yet profound exercise that encourages team members to share their preferences, communication styles, and personal tidbits. This exercise can foster understanding and empathy among team members while accelerating team cohesion.
This tool provides a blueprint of your work style, preferences, values, and expectations and is a constructive way to model vulnerability, crucial for developing trust and long-term cohesion. Sharing your manual with your team and peers can make you more approachable and understandable, breaking down hierarchical barriers.
Moreover, creating and sharing a user manual requires introspection, signaling that sharing and being yourself is safe. This mutual vulnerability builds trust and encourages honesty and authenticity, essential for deepening team relationships and improving collaboration.
Whether you're leading a large organization or managing a small workgroup, the 'User Manual to Me' has versatile applications. Here's how some leaders have brought this concept to life:
For Leaders of Large Groups: Imagine a corporate town hall where the VP of Software Engineering shares business updates and introduces their ‘User Manual to Me.’ This bold move sets a precedent and turns the meeting into a space for transparency. For instance, a VP I once worked with revealed a deep passion for data in their manual. This insight clarified their decision-making drivers and signaled the importance of incorporating data into project discussions and reviews.
In One-on-One Settings: Imagine a scenario where, before one-on-one meetings, a new manager sends each team member a blank ‘User Manual to Me’ to complete. At the meeting, both the manager and the employee take turns sharing their own manuals. This approach sets expectations and fosters a dialogue and mutual understanding, where both parties learn about each other’s work styles, communication preferences, and decision-making processes, setting the stage for seamless collaboration.
As a Team Building Exercise: Visualize a small team face-to-face where, instead of the usual two-truths-and-a-lie icebreaker, the agenda includes a 'User Manual to Me' workshop. Each member presents their manual, revealing work-related preferences and personal insights. This session doesn't just break the ice; it melts away barriers, fostering a level of empathy and understanding that traditional exercises rarely achieve.
By transforming the User Manual to Me from a concept into a tangible practice across these scenarios, leaders can catalyze team culture change, nurturing an environment rich in transparency, understanding, and respect. This approach enhances team dynamics and boosts morale and productivity, contributing to a robust community spirit within the workplace.
I encourage you to download the ‘User Manual to Me’ tool, try it with your team, and see how it transforms your interactions.
👉 Have you tried similar exercises? How do you maintain trust in your team during these challenging times? Tag me in your stories of transformation and trust-building within your team.
For more insights on becoming an agile leader and building high-performing teams, visit Tech Leaders Coach to book a session with me to discuss further.
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