OK, here’s a little thread about work.
Before I worked in games, I was a manager at Google and Facebook - responsible for teams, people and large-scale projects.
I learned a lot about work & what I believe it is to be a good worker.
Before I worked in games, I was a manager at Google and Facebook - responsible for teams, people and large-scale projects.
I learned a lot about work & what I believe it is to be a good worker.
So when I talk to my students now, it upsets me hugely to see the ways in which the education system fails young people.
We teach them how to use specific software, how to write a CV, etc.
But we do not teach them what it is to be a good worker, a good team member.
We teach them how to use specific software, how to write a CV, etc.
But we do not teach them what it is to be a good worker, a good team member.
So, here's my list of the traits of a good worker.
I no longer hire people (I’m just renting my high-horse for this evening), but if I did, these are traits I'd be questioning for & looking out for in probation.
These traits transcend profession and are valid in any industry.
I no longer hire people (I’m just renting my high-horse for this evening), but if I did, these are traits I'd be questioning for & looking out for in probation.
These traits transcend profession and are valid in any industry.
I think everyone could immediately improve their own working lives by mindfully adopting one or two of the below (yes, including me).
Any of my dear students looking to stand out in the industry could adopt several & immediately stand head and shoulders above their competition.
Any of my dear students looking to stand out in the industry could adopt several & immediately stand head and shoulders above their competition.
BE BRAVE
Courage is better than silence. Speak up to improve things. Share your ideas. Give feedback.
Courage is better than silence. Speak up to improve things. Share your ideas. Give feedback.
SPEAK THE TRUTH
Even when it is uncomfortable for you or others.
Even when it is uncomfortable for you or others.
HAVE INTEGRITY
Work it. Work it like you know it needs to be worked. Never half-ass anything. If you can’t do it properly today, do it properly tomorrow.
Work it. Work it like you know it needs to be worked. Never half-ass anything. If you can’t do it properly today, do it properly tomorrow.
EARN YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE
Every damn day. If you are privileged to be in a position where you can share your voice - it is your obligation to use that voice. So do it. Work is not the amount of hours your ass is sitting in the office chair - it’s what you do with those hours.
Every damn day. If you are privileged to be in a position where you can share your voice - it is your obligation to use that voice. So do it. Work is not the amount of hours your ass is sitting in the office chair - it’s what you do with those hours.
SHOW INITIATIVE
Don’t ask “Will I do X?” That’s just demanding labour from someone else higher up the food chain. Just fucking do it and report back when you have solved the problem. A good worker anticipates need and solves need without creating additional burden.
Don’t ask “Will I do X?” That’s just demanding labour from someone else higher up the food chain. Just fucking do it and report back when you have solved the problem. A good worker anticipates need and solves need without creating additional burden.
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
See a problem? Don’t wait to be asked to fix it. Don’t complain nobody's taking care of it. Be that person. Put your hand up. Say “I'll fix X”. Then fix it or arrange the universe in such a way that it gets fixed. Be a human being with agency in the world.
See a problem? Don’t wait to be asked to fix it. Don’t complain nobody's taking care of it. Be that person. Put your hand up. Say “I'll fix X”. Then fix it or arrange the universe in such a way that it gets fixed. Be a human being with agency in the world.
BE RELENTLESS
If something doesn’t work. If a player/customer/patient has an issue - do not rest. Never expect someone else to raise the issue. Never accept half-assed fob-off answers. And if you can’t fix it yourself, keep talking as loud as you need to until it is.
If something doesn’t work. If a player/customer/patient has an issue - do not rest. Never expect someone else to raise the issue. Never accept half-assed fob-off answers. And if you can’t fix it yourself, keep talking as loud as you need to until it is.
NEVER REST ON YOUR LAURELS
Even if you did something good 5 years/weeks/minutes ago, you are not excused from the pursuit of excellence now.
Even if you did something good 5 years/weeks/minutes ago, you are not excused from the pursuit of excellence now.
COMMUNICATE & SHARE KNOWLEDGE
If nobody knows what you are doing, you might as well be doing nothing at all. Make sure relevant people know what you do. Make sure you know what relevant people do. Encourage sharing to improve mission awareness & decrease duplication of effort.
If nobody knows what you are doing, you might as well be doing nothing at all. Make sure relevant people know what you do. Make sure you know what relevant people do. Encourage sharing to improve mission awareness & decrease duplication of effort.
CARE
If you don’t, why should anybody else? Surround yourself with believers and be a believer yourself.
If you don’t, why should anybody else? Surround yourself with believers and be a believer yourself.
TELL YOUR COLLEAGUES WHEN THEY DO GOOD WORK
It’s not just for leaders. Tell your peers when they do things you admire.
It’s not just for leaders. Tell your peers when they do things you admire.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Also not just for leaders. There is some area of your organisation that you know better than anyone else. Be the champion of your piece of turf. Do with it as you know it deserves.
Also not just for leaders. There is some area of your organisation that you know better than anyone else. Be the champion of your piece of turf. Do with it as you know it deserves.
REST
No matter how much you do, the work will never, ever be done. Take breaks and rest so you don’t burn out. I’ve had two nervous breakdowns in my time. Trust me, you don’t need even one.
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No matter how much you do, the work will never, ever be done. Take breaks and rest so you don’t burn out. I’ve had two nervous breakdowns in my time. Trust me, you don’t need even one.
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