# Winston Teo's Manager Readme

**Engineering Lead at Shopify**

# Hello!

This README is written for the Teams that I will work with.   
Through reading this, I hope that you will gain an understanding  
of my values, and expectations as an Engineering Lead,   
so that we will be able to work effectively together.

This README, or rather me, is a constant WIP,   
as I am committed to continue growing myself.  
  
Hold me accountable to this README and call me out when I deviate from it.  
This README is not meant to contain excuses for being a lesser version of myself.  
Please let me know if any of the content made you feel that way.

Constructive feedback is always welcomed!

# My Role as an Engineering Lead

As an Engineering Lead, I will be spending time on these 3 areas:

## **Culture**

- Create an environment for the Team to become a high-performing Team.

## **People**

- Mentor everyone on the Team to grow personally, and professionally.
- Attract new Talent; Retain existing Talent. 

## **Product**

- Set/Steer Product and Team directions.
- Code (as much as I can).

While I am in a leadership position, our interaction will not be   
100% that of superior-subordinate - in fact, I don't like this classification at all.

Our interaction will be more like this:

- **_25% - I am your Lead._** I'll provide vision, feedback and instructions.
- **_50% - I am your peer._** I'll work with you on ideas, and projects.
- **_25% - I am your employee._** I'll be learning from you.   
You'll be delegating (upwards) to me. 

----

To be fulfilled at work, I believe in having a Purpose and achieving Mastery

I am committed to ensure that you are doing meaningful work,  
and you have the right support to achieve mastery in your craft.

I will help you grow and achieve your career aspirations.  
This will involve work that stretches you beyond your comfort zone.

I believe that investing in people will naturally yield returns to the organization.

That said.. You own your career.

Speak your mind. Ask for what you want. What else keeps you fulfilled?

I might have ideas of how you can grow in your role/career,  
but it is essential that you plan for your own growth.

That's most important when working with me. Be open with me.

# My Values and Expectations

These are my values, and I expect the same of us.

## **Integrity**

We all must have integrity in anything that we do. No compromises.

## **Trust**

I default to trust. I have your back. Go ahead and make [great decisions](https://fs.blog/2018/04/reversible-irreversible-decisions/) quickly.

Every decision is correct at the time it was made.

## **Teamwork**

We work and succeed together as a Team, not as individual.

## **Radical Candour**

To succeed as a Team, we need to help each other become a better version of ourselves.

[Care Personally and Challenge Directly](https://www.radicalcandor.com/radical-candor-not-brutal-honesty/) at the same time.

## **Ownership**

We will provide appropriate updates and absolute follow-through on assignments.

## **Professionalism**

We always maintain our professionalism, whatever happens. Even on social media.

## **Empathy and Non-Judgemental**

There is no bad code - just Devs who were performing to the best of their ability,   
with whatever context, knowledge and help they have, at the specific point in time.

Sometimes, circumstances can lead us to do weird shit.

Hold your thoughts and be empathetic to history.

Just do your best to leave the code in a better state than when you found it.

## **Growth/Development**

We will grow and develop together. It's ok to fail, and learn from our failures.

# 1-1s

1-1s are for you. A safe place. You own the agenda. These are not status updates.

If you have something important/urgent to talk to me about,   
you don't have to wait for the scheduled 1-1s.

Please just schedule an adhoc 1-1 with me.

If my calendar is full, tell me. I'll make time for you.   
My Team (whatever levels down) is my first priority.

# Work Hours

Asynchronicity (and Remote Work) is the way forward. **_We will embrace this._**

We will manage our own time:

- All messages through Slack are assumed to be async.
- You are not expected to be by your desk from 9am to 5pm.

However, for asynchronicity to succeed, we also need:

- Maturity
- Verbosity in Communication

**Maturity**

Synchronous communication may still be essential at times. [  
Pick the right type of communication](https://www.theengineeringmanager.com/remote-working/the-spectrum-of-synchronousness/).

Our Team is based in APAC hours, so having 4-5 hours of overlap with the Team  
will help in coordination and learning - make good use of that overlap.

**Verbosity in Communication**

Let the Team know of your status, as much as you can (on a daily basis), which includes:

- **_What's your progress on the project?_** Do you have a demo?
- When will you be away (i.e. vacation, errands)? Do you have a routine?

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That's it! Thank you for reading and working with me. 🙇‍♂️  
  
_Last Updated: 15 Jan 2021_