Lena as a Leader

This repo allows anyone to submit a PR against it, that is on purpose

My Availability

Look at my calendar, it is generally 98% accurate
Feel entirely free to put time on my calendar to talk whenever you want
Grab me when it’s urgent
If you need me and can’t find me: * Slack Me * Text/Call Me
We are all very busy, but supporting you and enabling, empowering, unblocking you is my number one priority

I believe strongly in this principle
Everything should have a single owner who is responsible and someone who is accountable
If you are responsible for something and are not going to be available, let me know how can help you find coverage (In an emergency I will manage it)
If you are accountable it is your role to make sure the team is focused and following process and standards

We do stuff that works (it works as expected)
We do stuff that gets used (has a job, is working)
We do stuff that provides a benefit (it’s working for us, it provides measurable value, or informs us to why it’s not)

We should have no fear in trying new things or fixing older things * If we do, the process is broken, let me know we’ll fix it
It is ok to fail and to learn
It is ok to point out when someone has made a mistake or error, and I favor candid feedback that is done respectfully
See DRI above, if you own something, you are responsible for it
It is my job to provide a culture that enables autonomy and empowerment

I believe in Enabling Bureaucracy. The people that are impacted the most by any Bureaucracy should be able to manage and own that bureaucracy. (No Ivory Towers)
Teams and Individuals need guardrails in the form expectations, standards, and practices
These allow teams to be autonomous and empowered

I like feedback, in both directions
However, these are important: * Safety - it is unlikely that anything negative will occur for giving feedback * Effort - the feedback process should not result in arguing, but in honest, open discussion * Benefit - feedback should have an outcome, something that will result in a change or indicates why it doesn’t
I will never “react” to feedback. I will, however, respond to all of it.
I will never shame or criticize publicly. I do, however, support you in calling me out publicly when needed.
Radical Candor

These meetings are important
They should not be status updates; they should be us strategizing and unlocking you
I will most likely have some topics to discuss as well
I will use this time to coach, mentor, and to find opportunities to sponsor

I am currently the CTO at BEGiN Learning
See my Linked-In for more experience information
Accountable for driving and setting the technical direction and strategy for BEGiN Learning
Manage cost of goods sold (COGS) to enable margins and EBITDA
Build and hire a strong and highly effective team
Grow and foster everyone here
Provide Context and prioritization
Set clear expectations
Be the final decision maker when needed
To ensure we are executing and operating in a way that is working
Eliminate waste and focus us on things that add value
Provide clear mission and strategy

I care about you
I care about outcomes
I don’t believe in blockers (things can always be unblocked)
I believe in small things that make big things
I believe in continuous improvement no matter how small
I believe in Enabling Bureaucracy
I believe in daily goal setting
I believe in transparency
I believe in the honesty and focus of seeing what we are doing routinely (Retros)
I only believe in two priorities * High - What I need to do right now * What I might do next
I will never lie to you, however, I may defer the truth because of legal or privacy reasons, and I will make that clear

You will know, I will tell you
However, I think there are three stages * You are meeting your current goals * You are struggling to achieve your goals * You are underwater and are in trouble, and we need to have a serious conversation, but this should never be a surprise * NOTE: I did not list exceeding current goals because if you are, I think we should applaud that, celebrate it and reset your goals * NOTE 2: Goals also include improving or growing yourself and career