How to create a ‘User Manual for Me’

Among recent buzz phrases in the workplace is the concept of employees creating a ‘user manual for me’. 

 

Sometimes also referred to as ‘my user manual’, this idea is not as egocentric as it sounds. It is something that is created to help all staff members better understand each other and work more productively in a friendlier workplace. 

 

Here we explain more about the concept and how charity professionals can create their own personal user manuals to share among colleagues. 

 

 

What is a ‘User Manual for Me’? 

 

A ‘manual for me’ is a document that staff members produce, which helps their co-workers to understand how they can best work with each other. 

 

This is an evolving document, which covers issues such as how you work, strengths and weaknesses, and workplace preferences, such as how they like to be communicated with. 

 

The double benefit of a ‘user manual for me’ is that it can help the worker who is producing it to better understand their own working needs, as well as help their team work better with each other. It can also help resolve any conflict.  

 

 

Starting to write your manual for me 

 

The first step to creating a manual is to understand its purpose. Not all workplaces and employees are the same. Thought needs to be put into the specific issues, challenges and benefits of each workplace.  

 

A good start is to consider the current issues being faced. Don’t worry about this being set in stone. The document is designed to evolve to meet changing working environments too, such as the proliferation of remote and hybrid working, as well as any recent changes in leadership, perhaps through a merger. 

 

Issues being faced by senior managers, freelancers, and new team members are likely to be different too. 

 

 

Ask yourself questions 

 

To create a concise and accurate picture of how you would like colleagues to better understand you, charity workers are advised to ask themselves a series of questions. These answers will form the basis of your manual. 

 

Typical questions include: 

 

What employees should know about me?  

 

This can include information about family and career history and other personal details that could be relevant to a workplace, and you want to share. It is up to you, how much detail you want to give. 

 

How I like to work best?  

 

The answer to this question can offer more details about working arrangements and preferences. For example, some workers may feel they work better remotely or in hybrid arrangements due to childcare commitments. The worker’s likes and dislikes during meetings can also be described here.  

 

What are my top requirements?  

 

These are the main requirements in the workplace that staff ask of colleagues. This can include issues such as not being contacted by colleagues out of office hours and at weekends. 

 

How is the best way to give me feedback?  

 

Different employees like to be contacted about their performance, good or bad, in particular ways. For some, a simple email can be too impersonal and face to face feedback is best. Regular appraisals may be more welcome than a constant drip feed of comments, that can become confusing over time. 

 

How do I deal with stress? 

 

Burnout is a top concern among charity professionals. A 2021 report by consultancy Lark Owl found that “overwhelm, overwork and burnout” are key issues facing charities. A manual for me needs to offer an honest idea of how each worker deals with stress.  

 

This will help ensure the whole team is aware of how each other can minimise issues that cause workplace stress.  

 

What are my interests outside of work? 

 

Offering colleagues an insight into your likes and hobbies outside of work can give the whole team a greater understanding of each other and create a friendlier atmosphere at work.  

 

 

Sharing your manual 

 

The ‘manual for me’ is designed to evolve over time so is best shared as an online document or content that can be updated. There are several secure online platforms to help charity professionals do this such as Manual of Me. 

 

Creating a video manual is another option, which can be done simply via a phone and spruced up with video editing tools, including Canva and Vimeo. 

 

Graphics are also useful to engage the reader and help employees know more about you. Perhaps this could include pictures of pets.  

 

Here is a good example of a ‘user manual for me’ by a Tech Lead called Molly. Here she gives co-workers a description of her role and how she likes to receive feedback.  

 

Other issues covered include rules around out of working hours communication, as well as some nice pictures of her pets to give more of an insight into her homelife.