# Micke Alm's Manager Readme **UX Manager at MRG Gametek** # Motivation for this document Communication is key to understanding each other, and my aim with this document is to more easily allow you as my direct report to feel comfortable with me both as a person and as a manager. It will also serve as a reminder to myself of my own values and personality traits.  I urge you to hold me accountable to this, and very much appreciate it if you (constructively) point out if you feel I'm straying from this commitment. # My role My role as UX Manager is a more specified version of the Development Manager role you will see in other teams. Where we overlap is that my responsibility towards my team is people management and growth. My job is simply to enable your job, to help you grow as a professional, as well as to try to keep your job satisfaction as high as possible. We will set goals in our 1 on 1 meetings, and then work together to help you achieve them during the year, but keep in mind that my role is _support_, I can not grow for you. The other aspect of my role, where it becomes specific to me, is that it's my prerogative to work with values, processes and structure regarding how we implement UX at MRG Gametek. In that capacity, I drive issues like our Design System, what practices we put in place (as well as communicating _why_ to the company at large), how UX is organised in the teams, and so on. This does not mean that I am supreme in my knowledge of all these issues, but I will steer the ship according to my own and my team's vision of what good UX entails. # # What UX means to me I will always argue that graphic design is simply the expression of a solution at the end of several steps of due diligence. What we work with is user _value_, not necessarily stuff that "looks cool". I expect you to remember that you are not the user (although I would love it if you had an interest in the product you are building), and that half the battle is conquering biases (your own as well as others) through research, validation and iteration. We must always remember that we are a part of the trifecta consisting of business value, user value, and technical feasibility. As such, no man is an island, so collaboration and communication is of utmost importance to me. This means that I do not expect you to come back with a solution like a rockstar or a lone gunman, but rather that you've worked very closely with all stakeholders (ie, both product owner and development team) to arrive at your solution. # # What do I value most? - **Honesty and transparency**  - understanding each other and dealing with relationships is difficult, but if we aim to honestly and clearly communicate with each other, we'll have a far easier time with it. This goes for how you're feeling, as well as feedback that we have towards each other.  - **Work-life balance**  - we're not saving lives here. What we do should feel important and meaningful, but should not put you in a position where it impacts your health, well-being, or family life. I do not spend my evenings and weekends on Slack, and I do not expect you to either. Time outside of work is for you and your life, not a pause until you're back at work. - **Be proactive**  - if you find an article, share it. If you see room for improvement, suggest it. If you find a co-worker needing a pick me up, grab them for a coffee. If you have a problem, come to me with it. - **A positive attitude**  - the energy we bring creates the attitude we foster as a team and co-workers, so try to choose happiness and see obstacles as opportunities rather than roadblocks. It's moving forward that matters, not how fast you move. - **Feedback**  - I am new in my role, and your feedback is what helps me grow. Without it, I will act based on my own gut feeling, but that absolutely does not guarantee that I will always be right. Constructive feedback helps me fit my leadership to your needs. # # My Expectations I am not here to take care of adult children or treat you as such. I fully expect you to behave like a grown up who can handle responsibilities, as well as the freedoms that come with that. My concern is not that you categorically do your 8 hours per day, but rather that you show up as promised, and deliver to the best of your abilities. If you can't, then I expect you to let me know in a timely fashion so I can try to help alleviate the situation. I will trust you implicitly until proven otherwise, as you should trust me in the same fashion. Furthermore, if you have an issue that's affecting you, regardless of if it's work or life related, I very much encourage you to come to me about it with honesty as far as you're comfortable. I can't always fix it, but I will always listen, and my knowing about it will more easily let me support you. I will always aim to communicate as clearly as I can with you, but if you feel unsure or have a nagging feeling, then please grab me and we'll iron it out. # # 1 on 1's We will have monthly 1 on 1's unless you feel you need them more often. These will focus on a few main topics where it's my mission to try and help you: - Your stress levels - Planning and executing on your professional development during the year - General work satisfaction and happiness. # # Personality quirks - If I get frustrated and end up in a shitty mood, it's probably best to leave me be for a little while. I always try to pick myself up by my bootstraps, but it can take me a minute. - I have a tendency to get excited and charge ahead with things, so please advise me to pause and reflect if you see a need for it! - While I do practice active listening, my brain is very solution oriented and will start doing it's thing while you're talking. If you're unsure, please make sure I've really understood what you're trying to get across. Also, get to the point. # # Where to focus on your first 90 days? MRG Gametek is a sprawling business and it's only natural to feel absolutely lost at sea when you enter our eco-system. No one expects you to "deliver", or keep up with the acronyms, so I want you to focus instead on asking ALL the questions that come up, gaining an understanding of our business and what makes us tick.  Also keep in mind that this is a "people company", so focus on making an effort to build relationships and get to a "hey, how was your weekend"-level with as many people as you can. We're all super nice!