You Need A User Manual

You. Yes, you. You need a user manual. I am sure this sounds like a bit of a strange concept, but consider this--everything we engage or leverage in our lives comes with a user manual except for people. 

A user manual offers insight into the best use of a product, its intended functionality, and what to avoid that would ultimately lead to damage. 

We are not products, but we are infinitely more complex than any product we might ever use. Why would we not provide the same for our team if things as simple as blenders come with a manual that gives you insight into how to engage them and avoids damaging them?

In my opinion, a User Manual is critical among many tools one might use to cultivate a healthy and collaborative team environment. 

To build your user manual, you can employ the results of your favourite personality, nurture-based and work-based tests, and your own self insights.

The teammate user manual provides the gift of insight, peak functionality, and what to avoid concerning one another that might, in fact, damage or injure us. 

Below, I provide a snapshot of my User Manual so that you can get a picture of how to deploy this for your purposes. Happy building! 

LÉONCE B. CRUMP JR USER MANUAL

MY WIRING

I am an INTJ, according to Meyers-Briggs. An INTJ is considered an Architect or a person with Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Judging personality traits. As a thoughtful tactician, I love perfecting the details of life and applying creativity and rationality to everything I do. My inner world is private and complex. I often feel lonely in how I am wired. 

MY WOUNDING

Though I show “horsepower” in several Enneagram profiles, I am primarily an Enneagram 8. As an Enneagram 8, I was formed through conflict. My number is borne of feeling powerless and determining never to be taken advantage of again. Eights are often seen as intimidating, overbearing, and even scary, but we are incredibly sensitive and easily wounded—hence the hard exterior. Please do not mistake my passion for anger. Please do not mistake my conviction for inflexibility. 

WHAT ARE MY STRENGTHS?

Rational: Nearly any situation can become an opportunity to expand my knowledge and hone my thinking. I love to devise inventive solutions to even the most arduous of problems.

Curious: I am open to new ideas, as long as those ideas are rational and evidence-based. I will change my perspective when the facts prove me wrong.

Versatile: I love diving into all sorts of challenges and quickly embrace fluidity and change.

WHAT ARE MY WEAKNESSES? 

Arrogant: – Both real and perceived, when not in step with the Spirit. My self-assurance can blind me to helpful input from other people – especially anyone I do not feel intellectually astute. I can also become needlessly harsh.

WHAT IS MY STYLE?

I would rather be successful than constantly validated.

HOW I DESIRE COMMUNICATION

I prefer Bullet points. Straight to the point. Clear and direct. No fluff. No nonsense.

HOW I VIEW DEVELOPMENT MEETINGS

It is mostly your time and your agenda.

HOW DO I DELIVER FEEDBACK? 

Example - I commit to providing direct feedback.

HOW DO I DESIRE TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK?

I expect direct feedback when I am blocking your or the church’s success or flourishing.

HOW DO I VIEW TEAM LEADERSHIP?

I am highly collaborative and prefer tight alignment.

WHAT IS MY CONTRIBUTION TO OUR STRATEGY?

My primary contribution is vision, long-term strategy, and organisational culture.

LOGISTICS

Tell me about your personal space boundaries. I will respect them.

WHAT I VALUE

Resourcefulness and proactivity. Be smart, move fast and pivot quickly. 

WHAT ARE MY DEAL BREAKERS?

Tell me before the crash if you make a mistake or something is going off the rails. Failure is excellent—as long as you learn quickly—surprises are not.