# Duong Pham's Manager Readme

**Engineering Manager at SpyCloud**

# Motivation for this document

This document highlights my values and preferred ways of communication and interaction. It points out what I deem important as a manager and my expectations of others who work with me. The content of this document can change over time as we all, as humans, evolve for the better.

# My role

My output is my team's total output combined with other teams' output that I have influence over (Andy Groves). My main duty is to keep everyone on the team effective and efficient. 

At the highest level of effectiveness, each team member knows the right things to do at any given time. The priorities are directly/indirectly tied to the company's overall goals and objectives. 

At the highest level of efficiency, each team member can do their job with minimal to no friction. Ideally, there is no wasted effort while everyone performs his/her job duties. 

# What do I value most?

In a team, I most value **teamwork** , **innovation** ,  **honest communication** , **ownership** , and **growth**.

We succeed and fail as a team. We have each others' backs and never hesitate to step in and help a colleague in need. We strive to get better as a team by prioritizing honest communication, personal accountability, and long-term growth.

As a startup, we want to innovate any chance we get. Whenever we face a new challenge that requires a creative solution, we want to take that opportunity. Innovation takes time, so don't worry if you take a bit longer to come up with a novel approach to a new/existing challenge.

Honest communication is the foundation of trust. Without trust, we cannot function as a team. We are expected to communicate as honestly and transparently as we can.

Ownership promotes growth and trust. Making mistakes is perfectly fine as long as we learn from it. You build trust by doing what you say. It's never someone else's problem when you are the owner.

Growth is a must in our competitive world. We must grow as a team and as individuals. We are all responsible for our personal and professional growth. If there is anything I can do to facilitate your growth, it is a shared responsibility that we work toward it.

# My Expectations

Everyone knows his/her own responsibilities and duties, as well as obligations to the team and the company. I expect a standard level of professionalism when you are at work. Communication should be civil and respectful.

We have the flexibility to work our own hours, as long as we uphold our responsibilities to the team. When you have a meeting, I fully expect you to be there on time and prepared. Since most people work during the day, you are expected to be reachable between 10-4 during a normal workday. You can start and end early, or start and end late, but the full standard 40 hours workweek is expected of all full-time salaried employees.

# 1:1s

Since I do not have insight into what you do exactly on a daily basis, 1-1s are my way of staying informed of everyone's work. I expect you to come with updates, suggestions, and blockers. The updates can be as detailed as you deem necessary for me to understand what you are working on. Any suggestions to improve individual/team performance and productivity are always welcomed at any time. The most important thing for you to bring is any blockers that prevent you from performing your work effectively and efficiently.

I will be prepared with items I would like to discuss with you, but you should be the one who drives the agenda. 

# Where to focus on your first 90 days?

Let your curiosity leads you. Your questions will let others know what you're interested in and where your strengths lie. While learning the ins and outs of your job duties and responsibilities. you should stay constantly curious and keep an open-mind while asking a lot of questions.

We iteratively develop our training programs for all roles and you will be the receiver of such programs. As you go through them, take notes of what works or does not work for you so we can improve them. It's one of the effective ways to immediately contribute to the team as you get up to speed.

# Life Perspective

I learned to take life not too seriously and have fun along the way. If you can laugh, joke, and learn about the ups and downs in life, you can have very little stress and live a long life. Most situations are not life or death, so please do not make it seem so. Enjoy your time spent with each other as we laugh and make memories. Things never stay as they are forever, so enjoy it while you still can.