Trying to figure out someone’s work quirks from those little daily interactions is a real head-scratcher and mostly a reverse-engineering process. This document is for anyone interested in knowing me, mainly in the work context. Most of what you’ll find here comes from the generous feedback shared with me throughout my long career. I am grateful to all of them.
If you want to learn about my work experiences, the best place to look is my LinkedIn profile.
When I work …
I tell the truth.
Even if it is uncomfortable and sounds not-so-nice. Due to my position, I might have more information and might not sometimes have the liberty to discuss them. However, I will always try to stay faithful.
I love order, consistency, and regularity.
It helps me get everything organized and put into the process. I don’t mind surprises, just not too many. A confluence/notion/note page with a table in it is my happy place : ) You will mostly find my desk crowded and messy; it is the opposite of my head. I like structured plans; I like them better when they work with a bit of adjustment on the way.
I work hard.
I’ve always been a hard worker, even from a young age. I’m rarely intimidated by the effort a task requires, which sometimes means I struggle a bit when others don’t bring the same energy. But, I believe teamwork and communication help bridge that gap.
I tend to question common beliefs regularly.
I see productive disagreement as an excellent tool for growth and excellence in a field where absolute truths rarely exist. Even when I disagree with others, I admit they have valid points.
It is essential for me to understand the logic behind arguments…So, I ask a lot of questions… a lot.
It helps me understand the other person’s belief system, mindset, and train of thought. That leads me to ask many questions which require no immediate answers. Even when I agree with others, I keep questioning to discover our blind spots.
I don’t brag about my accomplishments.
It’s a team effort. Always. I do keep a brag-sheet that I consult with my manager and my coach but do not feel comfortable sharing in public.
My Shortcomings…
I sometimes get emotional about work.
I am chronically overthinking about work, and therefore have constantly a lot of running ‘threads’ in my head. The emotions they generate sometimes leak into my interactions with people, which I always try to keep track. I am working on it.
I am a recovering sarcastic
I sometimes say the exact opposite of what I mean, with a hidden smile. Occasionally, this misses the target, creating weird interactions. I try to keep it in check…
I talk, sometimes a lot
While I generally prefer written communication, I tend to dominate and steer conversations when I feel the need. This might lead to creating an expectation I do this all the time, resulting in people being more and more reluctant to speak up with me present. That is why, you can see me taking notes a lot in meetings. You are always very welcome to tell me to take a breather.
I can be blunt with people, underplaying their achievements
If I sense that people aren’t as invested in something important to me, I might unintentionally create a less-than-ideal atmosphere. I’m actively working on striking a better balance between offering constructive feedback and celebrating wins. If I’m too harsh, feel free to call me out on it—I’m open to learning.
Logistics
My most productive time is in the afternoon and night.
And I might be a bit grumpy in the mornings as a result, before getting my coffee : ). But bear with me. If you receive anything from me on off-hours, feel free to ignore them until the morning.
For day-to-day communication, I prefer asynchronous channels (Email, Slack, Text).
I don’t particularly appreciate being interrupted, so asynchronous channels are my thing. I will get back to you eventually. I see it all. By default, my messages are always NOT URGENT, I will always flag when this is otherwise.
For discussions, I prefer written briefs.
Talk is cheap. Writing down always forces the mind to get more rigorous, and it makes tracking/accountability easier. I love detailed emails, I would rather spend one hour writing an email with the right context and information instead of jumping into a meeting for 30min.
I don’t lunch
I don’t usually prefer eating in the middle of the day, so you can mostly find me walking around the office or sitting at my desk. Feel free to invite me to lunch; don’t get offended if I kindly decline.
Stuff I think a lot…
- map is not the terrain
- should vs will vs is
- Writing is nature’s way of telling us how lousy our thinking is. (Leslie Lamport)
- Trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets.
- Responsibility vs Accountability
- figure out what game you’re playing
- Good apple vs bad apple
- Framing, framing and reframing
- lookout, analyser, solver and executor roles (and they are mistaken for one another)
FACTS
- Born in Bolu, raised in Istanbul, Turkey.
- Studied Mathematics and Informatik in France.
- Moved to Berlin in 2016.
- Married, one daughter.
- Plays volleyball in the lower division in Berlin.