What’s it like working with me? Here’s my Manager Readme.
Goals
Being a manager is a title. Being a leader is doing it with purpose. For you, I strive to be both. Some days we’ll dig into the nitty gritty of your work. Other days I’m showing off your impact to executives. I promise to bring my whole, authentic self to the table. I hope you feel the same way, too.
My focuses: 1) Lead and grow the skills of team members, 2) Maintain and evolve the company’s voice, tone, and brand strategy to ship valuable products, and 3) Strengthen our design-thinking culture.
Leadership values
- Kind and strategic choices with an infinite mindset
- Psychological safety based on Brené-esque empathy
- Continual education on hard and soft skills
- Protection with my confidentiality and coaching
- Transparency where communication is sincere and no question is too small
- Fulfilling, meaningful work through initiative
- Career preparation within the company—and beyond
Mutual expectations
- Arrive with allyship, not apathy
- Reciprocal feedback that’s compassionate, candid, and specific
- Ask questions (and practice asking really good ones) before solutioning
- Own your career and take initiative; we’ll find opportunities for you to shine together
Weekly rituals
One-on-ones. This is your time. We’ll look at your current workload and check in on your long-term development—career goals, team conflicts, professional and personal highlights…
Team syncs. This is our time. We’ll a do roundtable and then workshop concepts, discuss industry hot topics, and stay fresh with skill-building activities.
Personality type
TLDR: I’m a gregarious optimist who takes pride in my work. Add a pinch of a “yes, and” philosophy from my theatre days. My favorite moments bonding with my team as well as the take-a-deep-breath conversations about what’s hard and real.
Cait Emma Smith 