# Lela Savic 's Manager Readme

**Managing editor and executive director at La Converse**

# Motivation for this document 

# **This is my Manager README, a document that helps introduce you to my management style, philosophy, and expectations.  Please treat it as a reference and a guide on how I will conduct myself as a manager, and what I expect from you. This README helps us set a common understanding for how we can best and most effectively work together.**  

# My role

# **I’m excited to get to know you more organically through chats, but a few up-front things about my philosophies might be helpful. I’m here to help and support you, to set context for what you’re working on, and to advocate for you and the team with the rest of the company. **

# **Concretely, I design the editorial strategy and the strategic planning; ensure our reporting and programs follow through on our mission and values; train and manage the newsrooms;  and oversee the operations and the newsroom.**

# **I have a busy schedule and it can be hard to find time to talk to me as my daily schedule tends to change rapidly and I multitask a lot. If you need to talk to me or are unsure about anything, please communicate with me early and often. I will set some time to meet with you. If I forgot about something I was going to do for you or help you with, and you don’t feel prioritized, feel free to remind me.**

# **My communication style is direct. I don’t like to have to repeat myself often when giving feedback or instructions, (please take notes and show initiative). If I give you feedback and if it is not taken seriously, I will take it as a lack of commitment. I appreciate when people share my shortcomings to me, frustrations towards me in a kind way rather than make me guess and build negative energy. **

# What do I value most?

# ** I really value and appreciate honesty, vulnerability, reliability, commitment, trust and accountability. These values are important to me in a healthy working environment. I dislike confrontational authoritative leadership and passive aggressive communication. I want you to show up at work in a way that respects the environment and the working relationship we have.  If something is unclear or doesn’t feel right, let me know so I can fix it! It’s not intentional.**

# My Expectations 

# **Working time:** **Be there on time: we start at 10 am. If I am not here by 10, be there by 10. When you arrive, take the time to read up on articles, do work related things. Catch up on emails, read the article of the week, prepare for the meetings. No personal calls, chat or use of social media or internet for personal things during your working hours. (I may be friendly, but I can tell when you are not working). Be available between 8 am and 7pm. (If I call you after working hours it is because it is important. If you cannot answer please tell me. ) No calls/ texts past working hours or on weekends. If you write to me on weekends, I will not respond until Mondays, unless it is urgent. Similarly, if you message me past 7pm, I will not answer until the following morning, unless urgent. Similarly, if I send you something during these times, I don’t expect an answer before working hours unless I specify it is urgent. Please indicate URGENT in the subject line or your text message. **

# **When it comes to mistake**** s, come talk to me asap!!!  Be honest, accountable, vulnerable, explain what you could have done better,  what you will learn from this and think of  solutions to fix the mistakes. (Be accountable and repair the harm).**

# The best way to communicate with me: **phone or text if we aren’t at the office. You can voice note me too or come up to me in my office. If you want to set up a time with me, you can send me an email for something more formal. For something urgent and informal, call me (if I don't answer voice note me on messenger,  text me, or Slack me). I am usually free Monday to Friday during my morning commute between 9:20 a.m to 10 am for a phone call. **

# How do I define "Done"? **When the product is ready to publish, the assignment is submitted and ready to go.**

# 1:1s **As an employee, you should set up a time for 1:1s with me every second week. During that time, I will give you 3 things to improve, and 3 things that are working well. I will ask you to prepare the same for me and for La Converse. During that time, our focus should be how you are feeling in your position, where your challenges are and what you’d like to do more of. Come prepared with points you want to discuss with me. **

# **OFFICE HOURS: my open hours are usually Friday afternoons or Monday afternoons.**

# Personality quirks

# **I am Roma from Yugoslavia, where I was born. I am very attached and connected to my people and my community. I appreciate it when people take time to learn about the [history of Romani people](https://twitter.com/ajplus/status/1512524610985734150) before working with me as I often make references to Romani people in my work. Happy to send you to the [right resources](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pyYdTU4zCD07G862cRf0FIbHFuxLuDWdRmAr3ETqZyc/edit#) if you ask. **

# **I am a social, friendly, warm person. I like to make jokes and develop closeness with the people I work with. While I have a very informal friendly style of communication and leadership, I expect you to respect hierarchy and hold you and myself to a high standard of professionalism and work ethic…( work can be fun but it’s no hangout, it’s still work!) For some people, I can be hard to read: I come from a culture that is very passionate, giving, warm and open. At work I can have a boss hat, a mentor hat and a peer hat. If you are unsure what I’m thinking, just ask (transparency). If I don’t seem to respect your boundaries, please feel free to kindly communicate that to me. **

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# **Where to focus on your first 90 days?**

Understand the Converse approach and integrate it in your work. Read documentation, ask as many questions as possible. Ask for feedback, be vulnerable on what isn’t working for you and what you are struggling with. Be open to critique, and invested in your role. **Try, fail, adjust, repeat. **

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