Enhancing Team Collaboration: The Power of Work Style Guides
Kitchen appliances, entertainment systems, power tools, and even cars all come with user manuals that tell you how to use them properly. Wouldn’t it be awesome if employees had the same thing? Now they can, with many leaders turning to an innovative tool called Work Style Guides or Employee User Manuals.
These worksheets may seem kitschy at first, but they can actually provide invaluable insights into individual work styles, preferences, and communication needs, enabling leaders to better understand their team members. By taking the time to know how a worker might prefer feedback, or recognizing what their natural tendencies are when stressed, you can provide support in the most effective way and create a company culture that actually treats employees as individuals.
The Power of Understanding Perspectives
Leaders often operate from their own perspective, and it's natural to assume that others share similar work styles and preferences. This makes sense! They have usually experienced success with the way that they do things, and assume that the most effective methods are the same for everyone. But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that this isn’t true - as leaders, awareness is key.
Work style guides serve as a bridge, allowing leaders to gain a deeper understanding of their team members' unique perspectives and work preferences. By embracing this tool, leaders can build an environment that values individual differences and leverages them for success.
Components of a Work Style Guide
A work style guide typically includes various sections that delve into the nuances of an individual's work preferences and needs. There are a number of work style guides out there, but Uncharted Coaching generally uses a few key points.
Identities that Influence My Work include…
Acknowledging the diverse identities and experiences that shape an individual's approach to work can foster inclusivity and empathy within the team. This also allows people space to identify and communicate their background, if they want to. Not everyone feels the need to communicate these things – but it is important to have a formal space to do so.
My Core Values are…
Knowing the core values that drive a team member's work ethic and decision-making process can be an incredible insight into how someone works. The “why” of an employee’s work is potent – understanding it is a gift.
Communicate with Me By…
Communication is key – and we all have different ways we like to interact. Maybe an employee prefers to jump on a Zoom call, rather than message back and forth. Perhaps they get nervous when meetings aren’t labeled with the agenda. Whatever it is, it is worth knowing - especially in a remote workplace.
Show Me Appreciation By…
This is a huge one. Recognizing the contributions of team members is vital for morale and motivation. Knowing how everyone prefers to be acknowledged ensures that recognition is tailored to individuals. For example - don’t give shoutouts to people who hate being in the spotlight. This can be a go-to method of showing appreciation, but guess what? It doesn’t work for everyone!
Give Me Feedback By…
Understanding how team members prefer to receive feedback enables leaders to provide it in a way that is most effective and well-received. Allowing space for this can ward off any awkwardness going forward.
When I'm Struggling, I Tend To…
Everyone faces challenges at work. By sharing how they typically respond during difficult times, team members can receive the support they need in times of stress. Nobody wants employees to struggle – it is bad for business, morale, and company culture. This is a proactive way of dealing with it.
I Feel Most Connected to My Work When…
This is another “why” question that can be super powerful. Identifying factors that build a sense of engagement helps leaders create an environment that promotes fulfillment. When do your employees feel “flow”?
Encouraging Leaders to Embrace Work Style Guides
By actively seeking to understand the unique needs and preferences of each team member, leaders can create an inclusive and supportive work environment. So many times, people at the top of the hierarchy are reactive to everything mentioned above – which is frankly inefficient.
Work style guides proactively facilitate open and honest communication, encourage mutual respect, and enhance collaboration, ultimately leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction for everyone on the team – including the people at the top, who may overlook this.
Try Using Worksheets and User Manuals
Starting to use these can feel strange at first. It is vulnerable, honest, and difficult work that can be challenging to accomplish. But every time I have seen leaders commit to worksheets, they have gotten more out of it than what they have put in. Try it out!
Download a sample worksheet!
Meridith Marshall is the CEO and Founder of Uncharted Way and has seen firsthand how people and organizations can navigate the most difficult of circumstances with clarity and openness to improve employee experience and culture in their workplace. She is an industry-recognized expert in using a data-driven approach, and is an Interaction Associates trained facilitator and certified Co-Active coach.