# Joe Balistrieri's Manager Readme

**UX and SW Manager at Rockwell**

# Motivation for this document

We are a team.  I'm writing this document to clearly and specifically articulate my professional self.  My hope is that my teammates and my leadership can find congruence and inspiration with the expectations set forth so we can grow and win together.  

# My role

The organization is measuring me by how many projects we can get over the finish line on time with the people that we have.  The organization cares about:

- Predictability - Making and meeting commitments, estimation accuracy
- Quality - Burning down technical debt to manageable levels (\<50 release criteria anomalies)
- Speed - Delivering more, faster
- High Costs - Reducing costs and expanding global foot print

The team KPIs I care most about encompass overall team health:

- Personal Development Goals - my job is to help everyone with their professional and personal development.&nbsp; My job is to build a safe and trusting environment where people can do their best work.&nbsp; If we are growing in these areas,&nbsp;treating each other with&nbsp;respect and care, having fun in the process, we are winning!&nbsp;
- Team&nbsp;Engagement - 360 feedback on how the organization and I am&nbsp;doing and where we can improve  
- Project&nbsp;Burn Ups - how is each team self managing and progressing towards business goals
- Technical Debt - how are we managing the quality&nbsp;of the system in a demanding&nbsp;environment&nbsp;
- Thrash Metric - how well protected is the team from waste at all levels.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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# What do I value most?

I try to help manage the in-congruence that can emerge at&nbsp;the intersection of driving business goals and team health.&nbsp; The business is a demanding and needy entity that will never stop asking for more - better, faster, cheaper (you should be picturing [Veruca Salt](https://www.google.com/search?q=veruca+salt+gif&rlz=1C1OKWM_enUS777US777&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=QrJLkuOxbQeGlM%253A%252CB8CGzWcumBl_OM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTmkvmqZcP0PtfQ_KX4nQ8dWB-15Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih5pazoK3lAhVIM6wKHTvMBVEQ9QEwAHoECAQQBA#imgrc=QrJLkuOxbQeGlM:) from Willy Wonka&nbsp;:)).&nbsp; Surviving&nbsp;in this environment is not sustainable if we deliver at the expense of overall team health.&nbsp; Our goal is to thrive, innovate, and move beyond our steady state.&nbsp; Stagnation is not an option, we all need to be growing together.&nbsp;&nbsp;

You can help me.&nbsp; I&nbsp;expect that everyone is continually learning how to plan and execute well.&nbsp; I&nbsp;expect that each team is constantly reflecting on their work and how to improve.&nbsp; I expect that each team member is respected and cared for by the team.&nbsp; I expect that if you personally make a commitment, you are striving to meet that commitment and don't require follow up.&nbsp; I trust if you need help, or there are roadblocks I can help with, you will ask.&nbsp;&nbsp;I trust that you care about the environment we are building and responsible for it as much as I am.&nbsp; I trust you to get things done in the utmost ethical and caring manner.&nbsp; I trust you know how to get things done, all we need to do is line up the priority and the "what" and you will creatively and expertly collaborate with the team to deliver the "how."&nbsp; I trust you. &nbsp;

Invariably, there will be conflicts.&nbsp; Conflicts emerge because we all may have different ideas about how do something.&nbsp; This is healthy.&nbsp; I like to get down to the essence, the facts.&nbsp; Be open minded, stay non-emotional, look at the data, the merits of a solution, and use decision making tools where necessary.&nbsp; Conflict should always be managed carefully so that it's beneficial tension.&nbsp; I can teach you the tools I've learned to manage internal team conflict, and know when to use those tools.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

# My Expectations

I support&nbsp;a flexible work environment to support&nbsp;balance between&nbsp;work and personal life.&nbsp;&nbsp;You know your personal schedule and commitments better than anyone.&nbsp; If you need to be remote, be remote.&nbsp; If you think it'd be better to come in and have f2f collaboration with the team, then do that.&nbsp; I trust you are balancing your work and family life and keeping what matters most in perspective.&nbsp; I can help you when you feel stressed, overwhelmed, and need perspective.&nbsp; I respect boundaries, I&nbsp;won't contact you on off hours unless there's an absolute emergency.&nbsp; I trust you will respect my boundaries as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But keep in mind, I am only a text message away in the event of an emergency.&nbsp;

# 1:1s

On a regular basis we will be having 1 on 1's.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is your meeting, to discuss what you are doing, thinking, and feeling towards your personal development and business goals.&nbsp; I am a coach.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is a chance to discuss your career, skills gaps, and where you want to go in the short term to long term.&nbsp; What is weighing you down?&nbsp; &nbsp;How can I help?&nbsp; &nbsp;This is a chance for us to get to know each other at a different level.&nbsp;&nbsp;Nothing is out of bounds.&nbsp; I'm a good sounding board, I&nbsp;want to help, please take advantage of this time.&nbsp;&nbsp;

# Personality quirks

I like to keep the environment light and tend to&nbsp;add levity, ideally in the right moments.&nbsp; This comes back to having the right perspective and not taking myself or what we do day to day too seriously.&nbsp; The work&nbsp;matters...sometimes it matters a lot,&nbsp;but it doesn't matter most.

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