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 professional 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 stings a little. Due to my position, I may sometimes have access to information that I can’t fully share. Still, I’ll always do my best to stay faithful to the truth.
I love order, consistency, and regularity within the chaos.
My brains run a few thread in parallel, and I discuss them as they are hot, or store them in my head. 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 : ) I like reasonably written good plans (and hate greatly structured bad ones); 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. I don’t expect everyone to match it all the time, but it is my default setting.
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 tend to ‘dig’ where we disagree, to grow/challenge my own views.
I ask 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 that do not always require immediate answers. But the threads are running…. Even when I agree with others, I keep questioning to discover our blind spots.
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 on 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 that 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 radiate a weird pressure field that cools the room a little. I’m actively working on striking a better balance between offering constructive feedback and celebrating wins. If I slip, you can tell me, I’ll probably agree with you.
Logistics
For day-to-day communication, I prefer asynchronous channels (Slack, Email, 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. Hierarchy of communication (most→ least urgent): Call→ Whatsapp→ Slack → Email. If there is an “FYI” there’s no need to respond.
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/slac message/notion page, I would rather spend one hour writing an email/message 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.