How I Work
The fastest way to work well with someone is to understand how they operate, and that usually takes months to pick up on your own. So I've written down how I tend to work, where I'm strong, where I'm still rough, and what helps me do my best work. None of it is rigid, so if anything here makes you curious, just ask.
Mostly I just value people being honest with each other, even when it's the hard thing to say. The earlier the better. That's the kind of working equation I do well in.
How do I communicate
I like clarity at the start of things. Before kicking off, I want us both clear on the goal, the scope and the timeline, and I try to end conversations with actual next steps rather than a vague good feeling. It keeps everyone honest about what's happening and by when. I'm a fan of regular check-ins, a quick recurring sync to see where things are and catch problems early. I do my sharpest work in a proper block of focus, so I like to keep some no-meeting time on my calendar to actually get things done, it's usually how I turn things around faster. It's never me going off-grid though. If you need me, reach out and I'll make time.
My strengths
I'm thoughtful and thorough. I like to really understand a problem, and the context around it, before I jump to a solution, and I usually know why I think what I think. I stay calm and steady. I don't get thrown around emotionally, even when things are uncertain, and I tend to look for what's working and where things could go right. That steadiness helps when I'm pitching, presenting, or bringing people on board. I think long term. I usually have a clear picture of where I'd like things to be down the line, and plenty of ideas for how we might get there. And I'm comfortable in ambiguity. When things are messy or undefined, I can stay focused, work out what actually matters, and make a call without needing everything spelled out first.
Where I'm still working on myself
When a high-stakes project isn't moving the way I think it should, my instinct is to grab the wheel. My intentions are good, but I know it can crowd other people out, and I'm working on hanging back and letting others lead. When I'm deep in focus mode, I can come across as a bit unapproachable, even moody. It's never personal, so please don't hesitate to interrupt me if you need to. I can also be too blunt. I'm direct by nature, and I know that sometimes lands sharper than I mean it to, so I'm working on reading the room better. And I'm a bit of a workaholic. I find it hard to switch off, and I'm slowly learning to take breaks and actually look after myself, because I know I do better work when I do.