Because people don’t come with instruction booklets (but wouldn’t it be easier if they did?). This is mine. It’s here to help you understand how I tick, how I work best, and how we can collaborate without stepping on rakes together.
whoami
I’m a mix of big-heartedness, curiosity, and creativity. My Enneagram results put me as:
- Type 2 (Helper): Warm, caring, people-oriented. I want to support others and make the team feel like a safe, connected place.
- Type 7 (Enthusiast): Energetic, curious, and idea-hungry. I thrive on variety and love chasing possibilities.
- Type 4 (Individualist): Authentic, creative, and reflective. I bring depth and individuality, sometimes with a flair of moodiness.
I have AuDHD (autism + ADHD), which colors how I think and work:
- I usually have about seven trains of thought running at once, sometimes in different directions, sometimes colliding in a glorious mental pile-up.
- Time blindness is real. If I’m late to a meeting, I didn’t forget you; I just fell down a rabbit hole. A quick ping is like tossing me a rope.
- I sometimes interrupt because I think I can already see where you’re going, but I’m learning to hit pause and let people land their sentences.
- Also, did anyone see where I left my AirPods? No, seriously.
Things to know about me
- I sometimes overcommit because my enthusiasm writes checks my calendar can’t cash. A reminder to pace myself is always welcome.
- I can get so busy helping others that I forget to drink water or breathe. Gentle nudges to take care of myself are appreciated.
- My brain alternates between hyperfocus (deep in the matrix) and scatter (every shiny thing is suddenly fascinating). Both are normal settings for me.
- Authenticity matters to me. If something’s off, just tell me. I’ll take honesty over guesswork any day.
- I’m generally non-confrontational, I don’t like telling people things they don’t want to hear.
- Most of the time, I consider myself a reasonable person.
- I want people to get along, I want to like people, and I want people to like me.
- I want to understand viewpoints that differ from mine.
- If my tombstone someday says “she was nice to work with,” I’ll have done alright.
My values
- Empathy as a baseline: I believe life is better when people look out for each other. Thoughtfulness and small acts of care go a long way with me.
- Curiosity first: I’d rather ask questions and explore possibilities than pretend to know everything. For me, curiosity is the gateway to clarity.
- Authenticity over polish: I’d rather things be real and imperfect than fake and shiny. I value honesty and transparency, even when the truth is messy.
- Growth and learning: Mistakes happen; what matters is taking responsibility, adapting, and improving. I’ll own my work and my missteps, and I appreciate when others do too.
- Playfulness: Humor and lightness make hard work more sustainable. I believe we can take our work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously.
How I work best
- I get inspired at odd hours. If you see me filing issues and creating pull requests at midnight, that’s just the hamster in my brain choosing to sprint on the wheel. Please don’t ever feel pressure to respond outside your normal working hours.
- Collaboration fuels me. I’m happiest when I can bounce ideas around like mental ping-pong.
- Variety keeps me energized. Give me a buffet of tasks, and I’ll happily graze.
- Clear priorities help me focus. Otherwise I may try to juggle flaming torches and chainsaws simultaneously.
What I value in coworkers
- Authenticity and honesty (yes, even blunt honesty).
- Thoughtfulness. Small kindnesses land big with me.
- Curiosity and playfulness. Problem-solving doesn’t have to be boring.
- Respect for different rhythms and quirks. Neurodivergence is part of the team, not a bug.
How to communicate with me
- Be clear and kind. I love warmth, but I also need straightforwardness.
- Explicit is better than implicit. Subtle hints often sneak right past me.
- Quick check-ins help. A simple “just confirming you’re good with this?” is magic.
- Ping me if I’m late. Think of it as tapping me on the shoulder in the time-fog.
How to support me
- Watch for signals. If I get snappy, bossy, or perfectionistic, I’m probably feeling unappreciated or overloaded. A little acknowledgment helps more than you’d think.
- Remind me of boundaries. Sometimes I try to be everyone’s emotional support human. Remind me it’s okay to step back.
- Anchor me in priorities. When stress hits, my inner Type 7 scatters like confetti. Help me pick up the right piece first.
- Allow my moods. My Type 4 side sometimes goes “moody indie soundtrack.” I don’t need fixing; I just need space.
- Humor works. A well-timed joke resets me better than a motivational poster ever could.
How I like to receive feedback
- Direct is best. I don’t do well with vague hints. If something’s off, say it plainly. I can’t fix what I don’t know is broken.
- Kindness matters. I’m open to constructive criticism, but I’ll absorb it more easily if it’s framed with care.
- Timely > perfect. Don’t wait weeks to craft the perfect message, tell me soon while it’s fresh and actionable.
- Private first, public later. Critical feedback lands best in private. Positive feedback can be anywhere (and I’ll probably beam like a proud raccoon).
- Pair it with clarity. If you can, include specific examples or suggestions. Otherwise my brain may spiral trying to fill in the blanks.
Quick reference
Energizes me:
- Brainstorming and bouncing ideas
- Variety and new challenges
- Humor and playfulness
- Feeling useful and supportive
- Clear goals (plus room to get creative in how to reach them)
Drains me:
- Ambiguity and unclear expectations (my brain fills in the blanks with chaos)
- Endless repetitive tasks
- Being taken for granted when I’ve overextended
- Feeling like I have to “mask” my quirks