# Rachel Baxter's Manager Readme

**Director, People & Capability at NZTE**

# My role

I lead the People and Capability Team at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE). NZTE exists to grow companies internationally – bigger, better, faster – for the good of New Zealand.

I'm responsible for ensuring that NZTE has outstanding people talent within the organisation and we grow our people, so that we can have the biggest possible impact on growing companies.&nbsp;

# What do I value most?

I really enjoy stretching, challenging and developing individuals, teams and organisations. I’m a big believer that the magic happens when you step outside of your comfort zone.&nbsp;

I value it when people step in the shoes of their customers - when they learn their customers' language, understand their problems and help solve them. Customers ultimately care about their problems, not your solutions. They also care about what you do, not what you say.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

I value it when&nbsp;people take ownership for their own learning. I'll help connect you with opportunities, and the more hungry you are, the more motivated I'll be to make things happen for you.&nbsp;  
  
Helping me means stretching and challenging my thinking, and ensuring we get on and deliver results for customers.

# My Expectations

My TMI wheel has me as a Thruster Organiser (with a secondary role as an Assessor Developer). As a communications style, I’m a driver/eagle. This means&nbsp;I love getting stuff done, and I&nbsp;tend to get to the task at hand. I&nbsp;can, at times, be a little&nbsp;direct.

I’m a fan of the saying ‘show me, don’t tell me’ (I can’t stand it when people are all hui, not much do-ey). I ask lots of questions, and really enjoying challenging the status quo. I’m always looking for innovation and a drive for improvement.

I’m looking to work with people who want to work hard as part of a team,&nbsp;and have some fun along the way.&nbsp;

If you're not sure, ask; no question is a dumb question. I&nbsp;see asking for help as a sign of strength, not weakness - although asking for help is&nbsp;still a work in progress for me! I'd rather someone came to me early if they weren't sure what to do or if they were feeling overwhelmed.

If I’m at my desk I’m very happy to be interrupted. If I need to focus on something I’ll go and work from a meeting room. If I’m not physically present and something is urgent, don’t be afraid to ring me or send me a text. I’m often feeling overwhelmed by my inbox, so the more you can stop that from being cluttered with small things the more grateful I’ll be!&nbsp;

My general rule of thumb is that I won't contact people outside of 8am-6pm unless it's urgent, so don't expect to receive lots of late night emails from me.

# 1:1s

I'll hold regular 1:1s with my direct reports. I'm looking for them to drive the agenda. I'll usually have a few things I&nbsp;want to discuss, but first and foremost it's for you to own.

# Personality quirks

Lots! I've been told I can talk in bullet points (I&nbsp;love bullet points!); so don't be afraid to ask me to give you the full paragraph. I also think out loud, so at times need to be reminded that I&nbsp;don't need to give an answer right away.&nbsp;

I have been called stubborn before. If I'm 'all in' on something, I&nbsp;am very driven to make it happen.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;