📝 Manager README

Let’s talk about manager READMEs.

🤔 Why you should care about it

“I’ve written a Manager README for every job I’ve had since 2016. They have been, maybe, somewhat useful for me and the people in my orgs as context-setting exercises and reminders” - Roy Rapoport - Director, Corporate Engineering at Netflix

A README is usually the document users open when they want to know how to use a software. Similarly, engineering leaders from Silicon Valley tech companies started a few years ago writing their user guides.

😫 Problem(s)

It takes time to understand how to work with humans —> when two people start working together, there is always a period where they make mistakes because one side is not used to the other’s communication style, expectations or personality.

Self-awareness about your management style doesn’t come naturally —> it’s challenging to present ideas clearly on paper. Some concepts may be clear to you but are not fully clear until you get feedback from others.

😃 Solution

Writing down your README allows new and prospective team members to know in advance how you work, what you will expect from them and how they can work efficiently with you. It also has the advantage of forcing you to clarify your management style, values, expectations, and communication preferences in a structured way to increase self-awareness.

💡 Key Concepts

Communication style —> how you prefer to communicate: live, verbal, or asynchronous, written.

Expectations —> what you expect from team members regarding performance and behaviour.

Values —> principles or standards of behaviour; one's judgement of what is essential in life.

Ways of working —> how you organise your time, like when you’re available for 1:1s or how quickly you can answer team members' questions.

😡 Detractors

”READMEs are self-serving documents where managers write down their most perfect, idealised vision for who they want to be.”

—> All tools and frameworks, including manager READMEs, are flawed or may misrepresent reality. But it doesn’t mean that they don’t serve a purpose. They, at least, can serve as a basis for discussion with team members.

“READMEs are manager-centric and don’t enable team members to know more about the big picture goals of the company.”

—> The manager README is not a replacement for a company’s OKRs or its onboarding documentation. It’s an additional document that allows team members to (ideally) work better with the human who happens to be their manager.

“READMEs can be used as an excuse for bad behaviour.”

—> Some READMEs do include sections on ‘flaws’. Sharing those flaws doesn’t necessarily mean that the manager is not trying to work on them (or is waiting for team members to applaud the effort). They’re simply being vulnerable.

⚙️ Templates

49 Manager ReadMes from Slack, Netflix, Google and more (a lot more)

Managers at Google, Slack, Netflix and more are sharing user manuals on themselves with their teams called “Manager ReadMes.” What exactly is a Manager ReadMe? Click to find out and be inspired by 49 leaders in tech.

Hypercontext

Daniel’s OS

Daniel’s Operating System Disclaimer: despite my best efforts, this document is most probably biased. Please take it as a basis for discussion and do tell me if it does not represent reality. Who am I A proud father and husband → I have a wonderful 2-year old daughter and a wife. I take my role...

Google Docs

📝 Content

The Indispensable Document for the Modern Manager

To build the strongest teams from the get-go, PatientPing Co-founder and CEO Jay Desai has written the definitive user guide — on himself. Read on to see how his tactical framework creates the bedrock for productive employee/manager relationships.

First Round Review

Should I write a Manager README?

In theory manager READMEs sound like a great idea. In practice, they have a few problems you should be aware of before putting pen to paper.

Kommon

Unlike babies, the best managers come with instructions - Torch

What are readme files for managers, and how do you use them? Learn how to write these short guides to help employees work effectively with managers.

TorchKeegan Walden, PhD