# Tomek Sabała's Manager Readme

**Senior Manager at Pegasystems**

# Motivation for this document

This is my Manager README—a document designed to introduce you to my management style, philosophy, and expectations. Its primary audience is anyone who reports to me, though anyone is welcome to read it or provide feedback. Please treat it as both a reference and a promise about how I will conduct myself as a manager, and what I expect from you.

I value transparency and want to ensure we’re aligned on what I expect from you and what you can expect from me. Putting this in writing helps make things clear and invites feedback on what should evolve. If you’re new to working with me, this README should give you a place to start and hopefully offer peace of mind about how to collaborate with me.

I urge you to hold me accountable to these promises and to call out anything that might be missing from this document. Without your guidance, I won’t be able to improve as a manager.

# My role

My main goal is to help our team excel. I see myself as a bridge between the organization’s needs and our team’s strengths and ambitions. I spend much of my time gathering and sharing context from across projects, so you’re always informed—just ask if you need more details. While I’m not involved in every project daily, I’ll offer an outside perspective and celebrate your wins. If you need support or make a mistake, let me know—we’ll tackle challenges together.

# What do I value most?

Teamwork really does make the dream work! I’d love to be part of a well-organized, high-performing team where everyone supports each other. Anything that helps me get closer to that goal is important to me. I believe good communication is key, and it’s built on trust—something that takes time and care to grow, but makes all the difference when it’s there.

# My Expectations

**How to Reach Out**

- **Simply do reach out ❗️**  - don't hesitate 🙂
- Use chat, email, or calls—whatever suits you best. I’m open to both scheduled and spontaneous conversations.

- l appreciate direct calendar invites for meetings. If you need to discuss something urgent, a quick  direct call or message works too.

**Availability & Working Hours**

- We work flexibly, but our core office hours are 9:00–15:30. Outside these hours, responses may be delayed.
- If you’re in deep work, it’s perfectly fine to reply to chats later. I respect focused time and encourage you to protect it.
- I like meetings to start and end on time. I’m naturally chatty, so feel free to help keep us on track!

**Growth & Continuous Improvement**

- Mistakes are a natural part of growth and making an impact. I see them as opportunities for learning, not something to hide.
- If you made a mistake, please share it openly. Hidden mistakes slow down both individual and team progress; shared mistakes help us all improve.
- I’m always open to suggestions and collaborative problem-solving.

# 1:1s

While much of our communication will naturally happen ad-hoc, I believe regular 1:1s are invaluable. These meetings are designed to be your dedicated time—an open forum for you to share feedback, discuss ideas, or raise any topics on your mind. The cadence and length are entirely flexible and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.

Our 1:1s don’t need to focus solely on work updates (unless that’s what you want to discuss). Feel free to bring up anything—whether it’s career development, team dynamics, new ideas, or challenges you’re facing. My goal is to make these sessions meaningful and supportive for you.

If you ever want to change the format, frequency, or focus of our 1:1s, just let me know. This is your opportunity to shape the conversation in a way that best supports you.

# Personality quirks

I have a few traits that shape how I work. They’re just part of who I am and may show up day-to-day. It helps everyone if you’re aware of the following:

**Utilitarian Mindset**

- I naturally focus on long-term impact and high-level goals. This means I’m often willing to make short-term sacrifices for what I see as the “greater good.”
- Sometimes, I might overlook local or immediate needs if I believe the bigger picture benefits. If you notice this happening, please flag it—I appreciate reminders to balance both perspectives.

**Feedback Enthusiast**

- I see feedback as the foundation of trust and respect in any team. I’m passionate about giving and receiving feedback, and sometimes I treat it as a “silver bullet” for solving team challenges.
- If I ever push too hard for feedback or seem to expect it as the only solution, let me know. I value other approaches too, even if I sometimes need a nudge to see them.

**Small Things That Matter**

- I appreciate directness and clarity. Ambiguity or “beating around the bush” can make me anxious.
- I’m energized by seeing progress, even in small steps. Stagnation or lack of visible movement can frustrate me.

# Where to focus on your first 90 days?

1. **Settle In & Get Comfortable** - Take your time to understand our team, projects, and ways of working. There’s no rush—your comfort and confidence matter most.
2. **Ask Questions Early**  - If you have questions or run into unknowns, reach out to your buddy or to me directly—sooner is always better than later. We’re here to help you succeed.
3. **Share Your Impressions**  - Your fresh perspective is valuable! Please share your first impressions and feedback on how we work, and where you see room for improvement. Early feedback helps us grow as a team.
4. **Regular Check-Ins**  - You’ll hear from me regularly about how you’re doing and whether you’re meeting expectations. If my feedback isn’t clear or you need more detail, please ask—I want you to feel supported and informed.
5. **Open Communication** - I’m always available for questions, feedback, or just a chat. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.