Here's a user manual of me - based on the many versions that are out there but especially the one shared by Cassie Robinson. I've got no expectations from this, I just thought that it was a nice exercise to do.

Conditions I like to work in:

  • I like a quiet environment and prefer interruptions to come in a batch. Open plan offices make concentration hard!
  • I've pretty much always got headphones to tune out the background noise. Check out my music tastes here and across my blog.
  • I like having my own desk space, mostly so that I can connect laptops to bigger screens.
  • Fresh air is always appreciated.
  • Perfume, flowers (especially lilies) and other strong smells make for migraines!
  • Desks with enough leg room underneath are essential (this extends to travel and accommodation - I'm tall so prefer a bed without a footboard, the airplane seat by the emergency door and bus/train/theatre seats that were designed with tall person knees in mind!).

The times/Hours I like to work:

  • Typically 8:30-5, M-F. From home unless there's something planned in an office. I'm based in Edinburgh. Family is really important to me so check before booking stuff right at the end of the day. If something is important I'll work late as needed.
  • I'm generally a morning person.
  • I write best when the house is silent and everyone else is asleep - midnight to 2am, or 5am to 7am are great but I don't do this especially often.
  • I don’t mind being contacted about work at any time but I will likely only respond to non-emergencies during weekday daytimes.
  • My work calendar is open so anyone can see my availability - I don’t mind people booking things in my diary if I am free (please leave gaps for travel!)
  • I really like meeting up in person over lunch or on a walk.

The best ways to communicate with me:

  • WhatsApp or Slack are good for quick questions; Teams is good for a call for something more involved, in person is better.
  • I rarely hear my phone ring but check it frequently.
  • I keep on top of my emails and usually respond on the day or within a few days at the latest.
  • I'm totally cool with finding out about work tasks through Trello/Jira - I'll come chat if I need more info.

The ways I like to receive feedback:

  • Face-to-face by preference but feedback is always appreciated in any form.
  • I love hearing feedback close to the event so that it's fresh.

Things I need:

  • Air. Water. Tea and coffee (mostly decaf, has to be hot hot and not regular hot or cool... or intentionally ice cold). Food (I eat pretty much anything). Conversation. Creativity. Plants are okay too.
  • Time: analysis work often isn't quick to do.
  • A clear vision to work towards.
  • A to do list: if it isn't on the list then it won't be done!

Things I struggle with:

  • Office politics.
  • Meetings with no direction/goal.
  • Miro/Mural.
  • Having to use multiple devices to get one job done.
  • Daddy longlegs (crane fly) and moths.
  • Computer gaming (I love the stories and visuals of games, I'm just terrible at playing them).
  • Ties. They are for funerals only.

Things I love:

  • Delivering great work.
  • A long-term, multiplayer, collaborative approach to work.
  • Spreadsheets, formulas, code and automation.
  • Equality and fairness.
  • A good office culture and chances for serendipity, especially through hearing all of the cool things that my colleagues are up to (in and out of work).
  • Recommendations of music, cafes/bars/restaurants, films, podcasts, shows, books and travel destinations (probably in that order!).
  • Socialising with colleagues.
  • A sense of place.
  • Writing, especially interactive fiction and near-future sci-fi. Creativity in general, writing most of all.
  • Mac better than Chromebook better than PC. Linux for specific tasks but not as a daily-driver.

Other things to know about me:

  • Born Jonathan but my known name is Jono (not ever John or Jonny)
  • Pronouns: he/him/his or they/them/theirs
  • I try to cycle to meetings, which thankfully means I'm often faster than public transport.
  • I'm pretty much me wherever you see me.
  • I love to travel both small/local and big/adventurous. Cities looking for stickers or by a fire cooking outside under the stars. I try to travel as efficiently as I can, and am trying hard to travel as sustainably as I can. I really love the sleeper train to London and happily use video conferencing when it's available.
  • I also try to live sustainably as well as trying to shop locally, I eat muesli and make bread, often buying flour and muesli in 25kg bags. I'm also not a massive fan of shopping for myself, but I have made a pledge to shop as sustainably and locally as I can.
  • I'm trying to move away from paper notes so don't be offended if I'm typing notes during a meeting... but I also sometimes have to work during some meetings which I know is rude but can't always be helped.
  • I like to see TV series through... not sure if that makes me a completionist/completist or just plain stubborn!
  • I try to keep fit but it tends to come in bursts followed by days of just a daily walk.
  • Despite being in a desk-job I'm always happy to do manual, physical work in the fresh air... and not too phased by a seemingly monotonous job, cold starts or wet weather (provided I'm well-attired in all the warm layers, jackets, buffs, thermals and muddy hiking boots!)
  • I'm bound by the Civil Service Code not to say certain things online and find it exceedingly tough - my absence from certain political discussions is not a sign of disinterest!
  • Adjectives: tall and keen (if I'm allowed just two!)