ReadMe

What You Can Expect From Me

My goal is to help you succeed—not just in your current role, but in your growth as a designer and teammate. You can expect clarity, support, and a high bar—delivered with empathy.

Communication

I believe good communication is the foundation of great collaboration. I aim to be clear, accessible, and open in how I show up.

• We’ll have weekly 1:1s that focus on your goals, challenges, and what would help you thrive—not status updates.
• I’ll share context behind priorities and decisions, especially when things shift.
• I try to be available when needed—and if I’m not, I’ll make time quickly.
• If something’s unclear, just ask. I welcome direct conversations, especially when there’s confusion or tension.
• I enjoy getting to know people, but if something feels too personal, it’s totally fine to set that boundary.
• I often speak with conviction, but I’m always open to being proven wrong—especially with thoughtful reasoning or data.
• You can always book time on my calendar—it’s open by design. I respond during work hours and some evenings—weekends are family time unless it’s urgent.

Feedback

Feedback is essential for growth. I try to give it early, often, and with care—and I welcome the same in return.

• You’ll get regular, specific feedback on what’s working and where there’s room to grow.
• I’ll ask how you prefer to receive feedback—format and frequency matter.
• I aim to practice Radical Candor: care personally, challenge directly.
• When I give design feedback, assume it’s something to actively address and close the loop on once resolved.
• I aim for no surprises—you’ll always know where you stand with me.
• I genuinely appreciate feedback from you on how I can be a better manager (if you're interested, ask me about SBI).

Goals

Clear goals create alignment, accountability, and momentum. We’ll define what success looks like together—and adjust as needed.

• We’ll regularly set clear, specific goals—using OKRs or something similar—to align on what success looks like.
• We’ll review goals regularly, not just at review time.
• I expect you to own your progress, and I’ll support you when things get off track.
• Proactive communication matters—failure is fine, surprises aren’t.
• Collaboration, results, and follow-through are core performance expectations for everyone.
• I believe in a growth mindset—skills are built over time with intention and effort.

Support & Development

I’m here to help you grow, stretch, and succeed in ways that matter to you.

• I’ll ask about your career goals so I can help create opportunities aligned to them.
• I’ll help you play to your strengths while also growing in areas that matter.
• I’ll support you in calibrating your role and level, using frameworks where helpful.
• I’ve used the GROW coaching model and am happy to adapt to whatever works best for you.

Decision Making

You won’t have to guess how decisions get made. I’ll bring clarity and consistency so we can stay aligned and move forward.

• I’ll be clear about which decisions I own, and which ones you own.
• I value your input and judgment, especially in your areas of expertise.
• When priorities conflict, I’ll step in to resolve quickly and unblock the team.
• I believe in disagree and commit—healthy debate is welcome, but alignment matters once a decision is made.
• I flex my decision-making approach—sometimes I’ll tell, sometimes I’ll consult, sometimes we’ll align together, but I’ll always make that intentional and clear.

My Working Style

Here’s a window into how I work best, what motivates me, and where I’m still growing. Understanding each other’s working styles helps us collaborate more effectively and avoid misalignment.

My Strengths

• My top StrengthsFinder traits are Strategic, Intellection, Self-Assurance, Significance, and Competition.
• I’m often able to see around corners—identifying patterns, potential obstacles, and alternative paths forward.
• I tend to process information deeply, and sometimes I value space for reflection and intellectual rigor.
• I’m driven by high-stakes situations and meaningful impact and want the work we do to matter.
• I’m energized by collaboration, strategy, and creating alignment across teams.

My Growth Areas

• I sometimes see solutions quickly, and I’m learning to slow down and give others the space to get there in their own way.
• I have a bias for action, which can occasionally outpace alignment. I’m working on bringing people along more deliberately.
• When the “why” isn’t clear, I can find it hard to engage fully—I need purpose to be connected to performance.
• I’m aware of how my strengths can become blind spots, and I appreciate when others help me see what I’ve missed.

How I Operate Best

• I’m decisive in dynamic or ambiguous situations, especially when a quick call is needed.
• I bring value by connecting dots and spotting patterns others might not yet see.
• I benefit from working with people who challenge me intellectually.
• I’m at my best when I feel trusted, aligned on purpose, and in motion.
• I work well with teammates who are action-oriented and pragmatic.
• I’m most energized when I see others thriving with the tools I’ve provided.

Things I Struggle With

• I have a strong allergic reaction to unnecessary process or politics that get in the way of real progress.
• Avoidance or silence during conflict makes things worse, not better. I’d rather talk it through.
• I find it frustrating when people undervalue design or treat it as purely cosmetic.
• I struggle with inauthenticity, posturing, or inconsistency.
• I often find myself being the one to name the elephant in the room.
• I get frustrated when people don’t take notes or forget key information—our brains aren’t built to remember everything.

Team Culture

Culture is built every day in small ways: how we show up, how we treat each other, how we handle tension, and how we celebrate wins. Here’s what I try to foster—and what I expect us to uphold together.

Values I Uphold

• I believe trust is everything.
• I hold high standards, but I know perfection isn’t the goal—excellence is.
• I value collaboration over individual heroics.
• I see learning as a team sport.
• I expect everyone to take ownership, share ideas, and help us level up.
• I believe in psychological safety.

Behaviors I Celebrate

• I appreciate when people take initiative and bring energy to solving problems.
• I love when teammates support one another.
• I value knowledge-sharing.
• I respect people who give thoughtful, constructive feedback.
• I admire when people act with integrity.
• I enjoy hearing what others are working on and helping connect the dots.
• I want us to build a generative, risk-taking culture.

Behaviors I Don’t Tolerate

• I don’t tolerate disrespect.
• I have no patience for blame-shifting.
• I expect people to own their impact.
• I won’t allow toxic behavior that brings the team down.

What Success Looks Like

Success isn’t just about hitting deadlines or shipping features—it’s about how we show up, grow, and deliver impact together.

Team Success

• We consistently deliver high-quality work.
• We collaborate effectively, share knowledge, and help each other succeed.
• We’re committed to continuous improvement.
• We maintain a healthy work environment.
• We’re aligned around a shared purpose and proud of the work we’re doing.

Individual Success

• You’re growing in your role, building new skills, and taking on new challenges.
• You’re making meaningful contributions.
• You feel challenged and supported.
• You understand how your work connects to larger priorities and outcomes.
• You’re someone others enjoy working with—reliable, collaborative, and generous.

Meetings

Meetings are one of our most expensive tools—so I want them to be useful, clear, and respectful of everyone’s time.

My Meeting Philosophy

• Every meeting should have a clear purpose and outcome.
• Everyone should have the opportunity to contribute.
• We should leave with clarity on next steps and ownership.
• I try to be mindful of time and expect others to be as well—time is valuable.
• I value work-life balance and expect you to define and communicate your own boundaries.

Meeting Types

• Team meetings: Held regularly with an open agenda for discussion, brainstorming, and connection.
• 1:1s: Structured check-ins that include well-being, progress, goals, challenges, and gratitude.
• Project reviews: Opportunities for peer feedback and discussion of “must address” vs. “recommended” input.
• Other regular meetings: Tactical syncs as needed, especially for fast-moving or high-complexity projects.
• Cross-functional syncs: Designed to build trust and maintain alignment across teams.

Final Thoughts

This document isn’t a rulebook—it’s a starting point for how we’ll work together. I expect it (and me) to evolve as we learn more about each other and as the team grows and changes. My commitment is to show up with clarity, consistency, and care—and to keep raising the bar while supporting you in doing the same.

I’m deeply invested in your success and in building a team we’re all proud to be part of. If something here doesn’t feel clear, or if you have thoughts about how I can better support you, I’m always open to the conversation.

Let’s do great work together.