Write your own user’s manual

Do you know when it’s best to approach your boss with a new idea, project or joke? Does he or she understand how you work or the kinds of projects that interest you most? When I interviewed for a job at The News Tribune in Tacoma, Wash., (where I worked in 2003-04), part of the interview with human resources included a personality test. You came away with two words out of four possible “answers”: One described your work personality, the other described your away-from-work personality. (I don’t remember what mine were.)

Forget the test; simplify the process. Aaron Hurst, founder and president of Taproot Foundation, took a page from BusinessWeek (literally) and created a user’s manual on himself. What a great idea! Help your boss, your co-workers and yourself: Fill out your user’s manual. Here’s mine:

My style
• I like to have fun with work. But when I’m on deadline (or trying to figure out why a script or program that should be working isn’t), I’m very serious.
• I like to be able to bounce ideas off someone else and to collaborate with others.
• I love stories that can be told over time or geography. Or both!
• I really like historical and military projects.
• I’m usually very organized, and like for others to be, too.

When to approach me
• Any time as long as deadline is not looming. I’m very flexible.

Values
• Honesty
• Imagination and creativity
• Innovation

Communicating with me
• Be direct. If you want something specific, tell me.
• I love to brainstorm and pitch new ideas. They’re not all going to be good, I know, but I appreciate people who listen, and will return the favor.
• I’m like electronic communication. E-mail works great. So does instant messenger. Or Twitter.

What I will not tolerate
• Rudeness and lying. (That’s a general intolerance though, not just work.)

Feedback
• I don’t need or want an atta-girl every five seconds (or even every five days). But I like being able to bounce ideas off someone, getting honest opinions, and being able to do the same for others.

How to help me
• I get caught up in the details. You might have to remind me to step back and see the big picture.
• I’m great at starting projects … and getting distracted by another idea or project. Give me priorities and deadlines. (And in the spirit of honesty, you might want to cushion that deadline by a few minutes.)
• I like working with others, but sometimes agree to take on too much. If you can help lighten the load or know of a more efficient way to do it, tell me.
• Turn me loose on a project — no babysitting required.
• I like to figure things out on my own, but if you have a better or faster way, tell me.

If you’d rather go the quiz route, see if you should run away and join the circus.