# Didier CAROFF's Manager Readme

**Engineering Manager at Akeneo**

# Motivation for this document

I'm excited that you want joined my team and I want you to be super successful! 

I wrote this document because learning my expectations usually takes time and thinking that it's a better way to be public and posted. I'm looking forward to getting to know you! This document is not intended to replace or override the relationship and mutual understanding we will build as we work together. Its intention is to give you an idea of how I think and how I work.

My motto: Don't fear the unknown. Learn, Accept and Change.

# My Role

TL;DR: I am here to make sure our team is successful, happy, and working on the things that are most important to help our customers, improve our product and our business.

It is my job to:

- Attract and retain world-class people like you
- Manage and build well functional engineering teams
- Set context and goals at any stage

If I do something that negatively impacts my ability to retain you, you would be doing me a **huge** favor if you let me know about it, as soon as possible

If I do something that feels more like telling you how to do your job than setting context, you'd be doing me a **huge** favor if you let me know about it, as soon as possible

# 

# My Goals

My clear goal: I can take off for at least a month and _it shouldn’t make a difference._ It sounds like a joke but I’m entirely sincere.

If I accomplish my goal it means that:

- You feel empowered as a owner to figure out what you need to do and how you think it should be done and then to get it done
- You have enough context to understand your priority and focus over the next quarter
- You have built effective relationships with others in the company
- We have a clear roadmap

# How I do my job?

I am not an authoritarian or a readme boss. I do not want to micro manage anyone - it's not a good use of my time, or yours. My teams come first, the company comes second.

Your success is ultimately my success. I am without doubt busy with meetings most of the time. If you need to chat - check my public calendar - no need to ask. If you can't find time, I will make time.

In short, the following 4 points sum up a large part of my management approach:

1. Our relationship is an alliance. Transparency first
2. Balance independence and coaching
3. Improvement is a Priority
4. Feedback is Critical - for everyone

# How I except you do your job?

I expect you to operate with a full ownership. I hired you because of your experience and skills, and **I am not here to tell you how to do your job**. I believe you are able to operate as a professional , and make smart decisions.

I am here to provide you guidance and mentorship. When you need help, I expect you to not hesitate and ask for it. If you feel you made a mistake, just say it.

# One on One's (1o1s)

I'm fan of 1o1s. I believe that these meetings are for you to set the agenda. What would you like to talk about? What’s going well? By default, I will book us time to meet for 30 minutes every two weeks. Feel free to book this time with no guilt.

- 1o1s are for you
- 1o1s are very important to me because they are dedicated space for you to talk about anything and everything you want
- 1o1s are not for status updates unless you want to update status
- 1o1s are flexible -- they can shift and change to fit around our shifting schedules
- Either of us might be up to 5 minutes late (5 minute lateness is normal for us here). I'll endeavour to not be more late than that.

**Urgent matters should not wait for a 1o1s**

# Feedback

I am a strong believer of Radical Candor. I want to ensure that you are receiving honest and actionable feedback on a consistent basis. I will provide you with feedback and guidance to the best of my ability, and will do my best to ensure that you understand the feedback that I provide to you. I will always ensure that feedback is given in a private setting.

# Personality quirks

- I'm a GTD person. read more [here](https://gettingthingsdone.com/five-steps/)
- I like meetings to start on time, end on time and have a predefined agenda and result with a meeting summary.
- If you're in a meeting, you should be  **in the meeting** , not in your laptop or cell phone.
- I don't value "hope" as a good plan. Hope is not a strategy
- I don't value "I don't know" as a good answer.
- I often work at indecent hours, I  **don't**  expect you to answer at those hours.
- I love History ans Stéphane Bern (ohh yes)
- I love WW Rap, Funk and Soul music
- Family comes first. Always!