Do we need user manuals at work - for ourselves?

aero2k

Hello,

Longtime lurker here. I'm out of the workforce at the moment working on a personal project, but I have over 35 years experience in various workplaces. I've seen a fair few workplace problems that at first glance seem like one or other party is being an AH, but on closer examination it's clear that the problem is down to an an unrecognised difference in personal style. On the basis that prevention is better than cure, this short video may be helpful.

Dan Pink is someone I admire, he has an entertaining way of conveying complex ideas, and his newsletter usually gives me pause for thought. The video explains how to write your own manual.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQNSPSb700Q

Flinty997

It doesn't really explain why you'd do this. I get the impression it's to understand yourself better. So you can explain "you" to others.

Seems to the answer to a problem I've never needed to fix. Perhaps others have a different perspective on how useful it would be to them.

aero2k

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122928516#Comment_122928516

Well, I think a lot of the problems on here come under that description. Lucky you.

I get the impression it's to understand yourself better. So you can explain "you" to others.

And what would be the harm in that?

I suppose you could do as Oscar suggested "the best thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is seldom of any use to oneself"😀.

Flinty997

"And what would be the harm in that?"

None. Just I've never had a situation requiring that.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122928809#Comment_122928809

You've never had a manager or colleague who was just a bit odd or hard to get along with, and who you struggled to understand how to work effectively with?

How very --- unusual.

Flinty997

That's not what I said.

I said I've never been in a situation where I've needed a user manual to help me, explain "me" to others.

Because in my experience in general difficult people aren't interested in anything other than themselves. They don't want to work effectively with anyone. It would be folly to waste your time with them..

CPTM

Those who appreciate the video's message likely don't need it, as they're already mindful communicators. Meanwhile, those who could benefit from it are probably thinking of all the others who they believe need to watch it.

kippy

My manual would change daily depending on what I am dealing with in my non work life, you know, the important bit.

CelticRambler

The workplace isn't a "social" environment in the sense of having fun. You're being paid (usually!) to get something done for someone. A good workplace will have an SOP that sets out how that something should be done, and an interview process that selects the people who can do it. If you're chosen to be a member of the team, and you've been retained after a probationary period, there's no reason anyone else should have to read a "user manual" to figure out what kind of a person you are - either you fit it and can do the job, or you don't belong there.

Flinty997

Work tends to be square peg round hole.