This is a document I share with any new member of the team as a required reading during their onboarding. I also encourage others to create a similar document of their own.

So there is a chance we might work together. That’s exciting for me, as I believe we are only capable of great things if we do them together. Building a relationship takes time. However, to get the ball rolling, here is a (mostly) complete list of my expectations of you, along with what you can expect from me in return.

My expectations of you

  1. Speak your mind. More important than anything else on this list is communication without repercussion. Nothing will get accomplished otherwise.
  2. If you see an area in which I can improve, please let me know.
  3. I believe in integrity, and not just as a tag-line. You will mess up. I will too. Neither of us will enjoy admitting it. Let’s do it anyway, find a solution together, and move on.
  4. If we don’t agree on something, there is a difference between being upset and being offended. The goal needs to be to find a solution without becoming offended.
  5. On many occasions, I will ask for your opinion, and I hope you will not take that lightly.
  6. Personal vs. professional growth — I don’t believe in distinguishing a line between them, as they feed on one another. Let me know if there is something you would like to learn and I’ll do my best to help. I hope you will do the same as it comes to my own development.
  7. Time is valuable, so I do expect to start meetings on time. I expect to end on time as well. My goal is to accomplish what is necessary in the time allotted so that we can move on to the next important task. Please respect both my time and yours.
  8. If you need something urgently, whatsapp is the best way to contact me. Followed by email and then Slack. If it can wait, please use my calendly link which I always keep up-to-date to find a time available for both (all) of us.
  9. Why? In a situation where we need to make a decision, whatever position you hold, I will want to know why.
  10. I value decisive action. My expectation is that you make a decision and then follow-through.
  11. What is your motivation for being here? It doesn’t have to be any kind of enlightenment, but I do expect you to know why you are here and what you expect to get out of this relationship.
  12. Goals, to be meaningful, have to be both real and measured. Let’s both/all work together to set goals that will push our limits, and then periodically review our progress.
  13. For video calls, please turn on your camera. If we cannot see one another, we are not communicating (effectively).
  14. If you need to change a meeting we have scheduled, let me know as soon as possible. And give me a brief explanation, please.
  15. Try to find the answer first on your own. And then ask.