“How to Handle Me” What should be included:Your StyleWhat you valueWhat you have patience forWhat you don’t have patience forHow best to communicate with youHow best to help youWhat people misunderstand about youYou can use the attached from your leadership team as an example. Your memo can be simple, or you can have fun with it by adding designs or something that represents your personality. If you have any questions, please let me know.
How to Handle Me
My style:
-I’m not sappy or demonstrative. I’m friendly, but awkward. I’m not a good conversationalist, so I tend to keep to myself,
but that doesn’t mean I’m not approachable. I have a good sense of humor and can take a joke. But because I’m not
chatty, or super outgoing, or an obvious people person, people generally avoid me. But I am more than happy to have a
conversation. About anything.
-I don’t mind interruptions or questions. I’m always willing to help in any way I can (if I can be reasonably sure I won’t
mess it up). I do like to help.
-When I am learning, I ask a lot of questions, but hopefully not the same ones over and over. I am a note taker and a list
maker, so be a little patient with me so I can write it down. And if I don’t know something, I will tell you that I don’t
know it and then, by God, I will go find out.
What I value:
-I value honesty, a sincere effort, a solid work ethic and basic, common courtesy.
-I value everyone working together toward a common goal.
-I value having a little fun. No reason we can’t take a moment to have a laugh or two. Makes the day a bit brighter.
-I appreciate people being patient when I am struggling to understand something. I am always trying my best and I really
appreciate it when people show me patience and allow me the time to catch up.
-I enjoy learning “tech” stuff. I am not the most tech savvy person in the world, so I always enjoy learning something new
or a short-cut or two by people who are really good at it and willing to share.
What I have patience for:
-Education and/or research. Anything that teaches us something is worth the time.
-If someone is doing their best and really trying, I will work with them as long as it takes. And, I would rather have
someone ask me questions than make guesses, as long I believe they are trying to learn something.
What I don’t have patience for:
-Asking the same question over and over because you don’t write things down.
-Knowledge hoarding, an elitist attitude, laziness, office drama, backstabbing, pot stirring, sabotage or bringing a team
member down. I have seen all these things in the workplace in my time and none of them do anything to lift up a
department or to support the company. These behaviors have no place anywhere, let alone at work! Work can be
difficult enough. Why make everyone miserable?
How best to communicate with me:
-Whatever is most comfortable for a person is fine with me. Call me, email me or come on over and talk to me. But, if
you are trying to teach me something or telling me something I don’t know, allow me the chance to write it down, or
email me so I have it to refer to (because I WILL keep it). If you are asking me something, maybe email me or Teams me
the request and all the pertinent info and then try to give me enough time so that I can research it before responding. I
don’t want to misdirect anyone.
How to help me:
-I learn best by doing and practicing. I also like to know the whys and wherefores of a thing so that when I have to move
forward on my own, I have the info I need to make informed decisions. If I understand the foundation of something, I can
draw a logical conclusion. The more background information I get, the better.
-I appreciate when someone shows/tells me something I am doing wrong. I would rather know so I can stop doing it,
than continue to mess up and create more work for someone else. I see it as an opportunity to learn. I will kick myself
plenty over it, so the sooner I stop making the mistake, the better.
What people misunderstand about me:
-I am from NY so I tend to be rough around the edges and kind of blunt or to the point, especially when I am
concentrating, tired or confused. To some, this comes across as grouchy or unapproachable. People think I’m scary. I’m
not. Really. There may be a tiny amount of bark, but definitely no bite. I may not mollycoddle someone, but I will
always do my best to help them in any way that I can. I’m not a mom and therefore never got the chance to develop my
nurturing side, so I won’t baby you, but I will work with you however long it takes to solve a problem.
How to Handle Me
My Style:
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I am in love with my profession and am always working to better myself.
I am a rule follower.
I am empathetic, almost to a fault.
I will always provide a safe place to decompress, vent, cry, laugh, etc.
I have an open-door policy.
I am easy to talk with and appreciate getting to know people, even though I am extremely shy
(until I get to know you!).
I firmly believe a day is wasted if something was not learned and if someone has not smiled.
I try to remain positive, no matter how stressful things can become.
I will fight for fairness, and I will fight for compliance. Every time.
What I Value:
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Communication and transparacny.
Trust, but don’t be offended, I will verify- every time.
Honesty.
Work Ethic.
Personal and Professional Growth.
Building others up.
Being genuine, forgiving, and kind- always.
What I Have Patience For:
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Wanting more and going after it.
Problem solving (please offer a solution when presenting a problem).
True effort to do a job to the best of your ability.
Ownership/accountability (we all make mistakes- it is part of the learning process no matter
how long we have been doing something, there is still room to learn).
What I Do Not Have Patience For:
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Wasting time.
Lack of communication and being blindsided.
Lack of ownership.
Abandonment of your team.
Disrespect.
Dishonesty.
Setting others up for failure.
Office Drama.
Laziness.
Negativity.
Bullying. I have a very low tolerance for unnecessary rudeness. Everyone has something going
on that often no one knows about.
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Inserting yourself in someone else’s business without invitation.
Unproductive opinions.
How To Best Communicate with Me:
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With open mindedness and respectfully
Email.
Teams.
Text.
Have a solution ready for every problem you bring to the table.
Give me all the information I need to help you.
Wait until I put my things down in the morning and have my laptop up before approaching
with issues.
How To Help Me:
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Be supportive.
Be Kind.
Be forgiving.
Be patient.
Talk with me, not at me.
Teach me the correct way if I am doing something wrong.
What People Misunderstand About Me:
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My kindness is often misunderstood as weakness. I am kind, but I will be firm when required.
Listening with an open mind does not mean that I won’t stand my ground.
I value my time at work like I value my time at home. I can/will be protective of both.