read.me

A bit about me and how I approach most things in work and in life.

• What I like
  • Creative endeavors and using my imagination. I am deeply interested in design, craft, and Behavioral Economics. I strive to be well-informed, realistic, and systematic. I like to organize facts and gather information. I like thinking in systems and tactical terms.
    
  • If you ask for my opinion, I will be glad to share. You may or may not agree, and that's ok as it gives us a place to begin discussions. I will tell you honestly what I'm thinking and I would expect the same from you.
  • If you would like help or advise with something, please ask and be specific with your feedback.
  • I often use humor as a means to help myself and others feel comfortable and relaxed, I don't take myself too seriously. This will happen more often the more we get to know each other. I am fluent in movie/tv references.
  • I tend to want to "fix" things. I'm learning to fight this urge. Being done with something, even very small, is a feeling I crave. If I can't be done with something, I want to see meaningful progress made.
  • I like knowing what is next, sometimes that means a plan, sometimes several options, and sometimes no plans at all. Planning for nothing to happen for the next 8 hours is a good thing. I believe there is a place for process, and that process should be followed and improved over time.
  • I believe that agile and lean values and principles are beneficial and applicable in many places and situations.
  • Small failures should happen often. Big failures rarely if ever.
  • Compelling arguments. Show me some effort. Talk through the data, your ideas and what you found interesting.
  • I am fascinated by a good story, or storyteller.
• How I think
  • It is better to approach me in a structured and logical way. I understand that decisions are often made by emotions.  Let's be aware of those emotions and understand them. I like to think analytically and be as objective as I can.
  • Bring your solid reasons and data with your assertions, helps me understand your POV. Show me how you got there, the data, the logic, the reasoning.
  • Allow me to do my detective and research work, it makes me happy.
  • I like assimilating information, mapping it out, long observation, and thinking visually.
  • I like it when I see patterns. Recognizing recurring patterns, building new ones, using my own, or figuring out patterns that I do not yet understand.
  • I am more interested in ideas than the people who have them. I don't agree or disagree with people all the time.  Collaboration is where we learn from each other and become better.
• What I don't like
  • I am more impressed by your actions than your words or your motion.
  • Get to your question quickly, then let's explore. I don't need a build up.
  • If you give me less than 24 hrs notice for something changing, it's likely I'll react poorly to that.
  • I like knowing things. Even the things I don't know yet.
  • I like technology, I'm not a coder. Once you start talking/explaining code, I'm likely checked out.
  • I'm not a mind reader and don't enjoy that game. Don't drop hints or clues about what you want, or wait for me to guess, tell me straight.
  • Indecision is something that frustrates me greatly.  
  • Please do not tell me the following words, when I hear them It takes me a while to get my thoughts back with you..
    • Fair, just, but, "I know", absolutes.
• Other
  • There's usually a balance that needs to be maintained: Cost/Benefit, Order/Chaos, Rest/Activity, etc...
  • I have a tendency towards perfectionism. My standards are very high for me, for you, and for others.
  • I am working on my tone.
  • I generally have 3 rules I expect from others:
    • Be Present.
    • Keep getting better.
    • Don't be an asshole.
  • So many things could be solved, and are often fixed by, determining: Who, does what, by when.
  • My working theory about Work Teams:
  • Happy teams, make great products, that help customers succeed, for the benefit of the company.
  • I usually keep an emotional distance from others, don't be misled into thinking I do not care.

Use wisely your power of choice.”
— Og Mandino