Manual for working with me

Note: This page is intended for colleagues, managers and teams who want a clearer sense of how I tend to work, communicate and collaborate. It is descriptive rather than prescriptive—context always matters.

Always go too far, because that's where you'll find the truth.
- Albert Camus

My Best Working Environment

Day-to-day:

  • I am at my best in the early to mid-morning hours

  • If calls and meetings are necessary, I'd rather have them after lunch

  • A healthy balance of independent work interspersed with small-team working sessions

Generally, to deliver my best results, I prefer:

  • A role that allows me to set and manage high standards

  • Work with a meaningful purpose and visible impact

  • A role in which I have the opportunity to define or influence corporate values

  • A role that is focused on delivering a long-term plan


What I Need to Do Great Work

  • The autonomy to develop ideas and act on them

  • An opportunity to develop a specialization

  • Being of value to society and others

  • Being recognized for my discipline and responsibility to my work

  • Independence to do my work my way

  • Collegial relationships built on mutual trust and respect

  • Work that provides challenge and opportunity for improvement


How to Give Me Feedback

  • By giving constructive and specific criticism that provides an opportunity to learn and improve moving forward

  • I am comfortable challenging feedback when I believe the underlying assumptions deserve further scrutiny; I value constructive disagreement when it improves the outcome

How I Operate Under Pressure

  • I prefer to avoid unnecessary urgency, but I remain calm, decisive and action-oriented under genuine pressure

  • I am well suited to take action and lead the team in a high-stress environment

Beyond Work

  • I am interested in questions related to the human condition, particularly philosophy, mindfulness and meditation, as well as fitness, health and nutrition, wood carving. And, yes, contemplative pipe smoking.