20210913:00 - Manager of One
Learning to be a manager of one
This month's GitLab Learn skill of the month is manager of one, the GitLab Efficiency sub-value, which is an important skill necessary for everyone at GitLab, primarily because of the all-remote workforce.
Here are some notes I'm taking, while working through the pathway.
Individual Contributor Leadership GitLab - CEO Handbook Learning Session
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High expectation of being able to perform work without direct supervision. Taking repsonsibility for:
- direct communication
- structuring communication
- managing workload and signalling too much/too little, this is what I propose
- make sure that bad news travels fast: if something goes wrong highlight it ASAP, with remediation that you see
- you are still a leader of yourself
- being an ambassador for GitLab's values -- this is not just lip service, because these inform how we act, or how we should act
- speak up about DIB - don't be a bystander if someone's not being inclusive
- take control of your own time, start meetings on time, hold others accountable to start on time
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Ways to demonstrate leadership
- advocate for fewer meetings (meeting cadence)
- brainstorming shouldn't happen in a meeting
- if you have a meeting, think about the impact
- let meetings end early if you haven't filled the time (personal updates are fine, even valuable, but if there's an issue only relevant to a few, let the others present drop from the meeting)
- taking good notes in meetings
- sharing recordings
- distributing information flows, taking the time to cross-post, or share issues/information
- advocate for fewer meetings (meeting cadence)
There are other types of meetings where individuals can be leaders, without a conversation about work, for example coffee chats.
- Demonstrate leadership by initiating coffee chats.
- Make people feel welcome (do it with a recent starter, or an underrepresented group)
Misconceptions of a team member's role with regards to leadership. There is a concept of a DRI (directly responsible individual) -- if it's not clear who the DRI is have the conversation to make it clear, and if no-one is sure, there should be one person responsible … (hint, hint!)
See yourself as the CEO of your own time, much more empowering. Good managers of self make good managers of others.
Time Management for Busy People
- Time invested in working out (or meditating, or self help of other sorts) is worth it, when you consider how much better you feel, and more able to tackle work. So I need to make the time for these things, instead of feeling like I am "too busy" to do this work
- Quick calming breaths: inhale x 4, hold x 7, exhale x 8, repeat 3 times
- Plan the day strategically: schedule tasks, and then do them
- Responding to requests: say that you will check schedule, and then get back to them. Then do this
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overwhelm is something you do to yourself, which means you can control this
- happens when everything is "urgent"
- Turn off alerts and notifications (eliminate interruptions, which reduces concentration affects thinking skills)
- Be decisive and speedy.
- 10/10/10 rule: will this matter in 10 minutes/months/years? How will I feel in...? Puts issues in perspective, so you can stay in control of your plan, and be your own boss (manager of one)
- happens when everything is "urgent"
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List making to get things out of your head. It feels like it's a bazillion while it's in your mind, but when they are written down, they become more controllable.
- could-do list: not just the things we can do
- Put dreams on the could-do list
- Put one bold idea on the could-do list: life is not just a series of tasks, but an adventure