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Last updated: Jun 3, 2024
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If we’re working together, I hope this doc makes our collaboration smoother and more transparent.¹ These are the standards I attach myself to that optimize my performance at work. Every preference or strength can also be a weakness, so counter-views are listed as well. Feedback and additional counter-views encouraged.

### **1. Death before thrash**

What is the most succinct option in the most appropriate channel?

* Minimize need for back-and-forth

* For maximum visibility for the appropriate audience

* Framed at the right altitude with the right context²

  * Instant notice and respect of **`cmd+f`** usage

* *"I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter."* ³

  * It is deeply appreciated when effort is made

* Banter, yes. Less noise, less irrelevant information

* Counter:

  * There is not always enough time to be superbly concise

  * It is unrealistic and not always productive to expect certain roles to do comprehensive research of internal docs before contributing to a conversation

  * "Sometimes someone without baggage has the needed perspective to move a project forward, without all the context." ⁴

  * “Banter” and “noise” is too subjective

### **2. Bias for direct feedback**

Pursuing work that enables strong feedback cycles

* Bias toward working with people that give timely and actionable feedback

* Counter:

  * It overlooks working with people looking to improve their feedback skills or aren’t direct communicators, who may also be great collaborators

  * It overlooks great opportunities that don’t have strong feedback mechanisms set in place yet

### **3. Do what you say**

Self-awareness and commitment over idealism or indecision

* ❌ “I might be able to help.”

  * Building on #1, this doesn’t meaningfully move the conversation forward

* ✅ “I’ll e-mail you a first draft by Tuesday at noon.”

* ✅ “I’m not taking on any new projects until Q3.” ⁵

* Counter:

  * Forecasting work amidst shifting priorities can be hard

While I do not always meet the standards of my own preference, I thrive under these conditions. Notice of inconsistency or hypocrisy is a welcome conversation.

**What are your ways of working?** Can collaborative compatibility be evaluated by exchanging credos? Say hello and drop me a line—let’s find out!

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1. Inspired by *Lily Konings, “[How to work with Lily](https://grey-animal-909.notion.site/How-to-work-with-Lily-c5ad60f5b63d42f5b413acfe09b52c1c)”*

2. *Wes Kao, “[The unspoken skill of finesse](https://newsletter.weskao.com/p/the-unspoken-skill-of-finesse?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2)”*

3. *Blaise Pascal, (1623-1662) “Lettres provinciales”*

4. Forgot where I read this, but it didn't come from my brain

5. *Lenny Rachitsky, “[On saying no](https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-say-no)”*

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