Inspired by this interview, I am publishing this user guide on how to work best with me. It was last updated 5/26/25 after gathering input from peers, directs and my manager at my last role.

Giri's User Guide

Introduction

Welcome to my user guide. I created this guide to help us work together more effectively. Having spent years as an engineer, founder, and executive, I've learned how important clear communication and expectations are for productive relationships. This document outlines how I work best, my communication preferences, and what I value in professional interactions. If you're familiar with Working Geniuses, here's where I land:

• Genius: Invention and Discernment
• Competency: Wonder and Tenacity
• Frustration: Enablement and Galvanizing

My Work Style

How I Process Information

• I tend to rely on intuition and look for a balance between frameworks and first principles in my approach to problems
• I value data-informed decision making. Being overly data-driven in decision making can be problematic in my experience. I like to dive a few layers into the data and tie it to business outcomes
• I process complex information best when I can see it visually or read about it first
• I'm energized by breaking down problems into smaller parts to identify unknowns to eliminate and risks that are acceptable
• I research problems independently and expect others to come prepared by doing enough homework for educated discussions
• Debating a range of ideas, including counterintuitive or challenging ones, is crucial for me to get comfortable with a particular path
• I like to ensure I understand a problem and not rush, or be rushed, to respond

My Productivity Patterns

• I'm hard-wired as an entrepreneur since childhood
• I find off hours to be some of my most creative time
• I prefer short, frequent check-ins for project updates and longer, deep dives when strategic decisions are being contemplated
• I balance strategic thinking with tactical execution, and expect the same from my teams

Communication Preferences

Meetings

• I expect meetings to be purposeful with clear agendas
• Clear notes, ownership of action items, and follow through are essential
• For recurring meetings, I value consistency and preparation

Communication Channels

• For urgent matters: text
• For complex discussions: video call or in-person when possible
• For regular updates: Slack + persistent documentation like Notion / Google Docs
• My response time typically ranges from minutes to days, depending on urgency

Communication Style

• Know what you want or need so you can clearly communicate it
• Come to me not just with problems, but with plausible solutions and your recommended course of action
• I value authenticity, honesty, and transparency
• If you disagree with something I say, tell me—I'm hungry to be challenged in thoughtful and constructive ways

What I Value

In Teams and Work

• Results ahead of effort—working hard for the sake of hard work doesn't interest me if it's not oriented toward getting a desired result
• Resourcefulness and being proactive—be smart, move fast, and pivot quickly
• Scrappiness and maximizing "return on effort"—before doing something "the way it's always been done," scan for an easier, cheaper, simpler way
• I value intellectual rigor and thoughtfulness and expect to see it in the work
• I value the people as whole individuals on the team. I am also invested in team building and group dynamics.

In Decision Making

• I do not believe all points/decisions need to be data-driven or evidence-based, but they must be well-reasoned, thorough, and rigorous
• I am measured in making decisions and am open to changing course with good reasoning or data
• Disagreement, challenges, and refinement are essential to get to the "best" solution with conviction
• The last two points can sometimes lead to taking more time than might be expected up front to arrive at a decision
• Involve the minimum number of people in making a decision, then fan out getting buy in and taking feedback to hopefully only adjust on the margins

What Grinds My Gears

• Surprises when things go wrong—tell me before the crash (failure is OK as long as you learn from it)
• Broken trust—which can happen by not following through, withholding important information, avoiding hard conversations, or treating others with disrespect
• Entitlement, boredom, and taking things for granted—it's a privilege to do what we do and I want to work with people who care as deeply about the work as I do

How I Can Help You

• Strategic thinking and connecting dots across domains
• Technical depth combined with business acumen
• Connections in industries I've worked in or investors I have raised from
• Mentorship in product management, cross functional collaboration, leadership, starting companies, GTM

How You Can Help Me

• Remind me when things are going well—I'm working on getting better at acknowledging the good
• Build my confidence by showing you're on top of details and have identified what matters. This helps me with recognizing your performance and success
• Tell me what I need to know, not what you think I want to hear
• Challenge my thinking with new perspectives. Don't be shy about bringing me new ideas!
• Be direct about concerns or issues
• Come prepared with context and data for discussions
• Follow through on commitments

What People Misunderstand About Me

• I may come across as speaking with conviction but am not set in my thinking—I'm open-minded and always happy to be shown a better way
• I like to debate decisions and sometimes that can feel too argumentative for others. Call it out when it feels like it's interfering with progress.
• Though I may be in a leadership position, I'm also a person and your teammate.
• I'm committed to always getting better at my job
• I've been told my Zoom demeanor isn't always as warm and inviting as I am in person and may not convey my level of engagement and energy. Flag concerns for me about this early so we can discuss it.

Interests Outside of Work

• My kids and their interests/hobbies
• I love to play poker, usually cash games.
• I love the design and craft of everyday things, particularly architecture and furniture. Lately, I've gone down an internet rabbit hole on boots.
• I spent time during the pandemic learning how to cook and bake reasonably well so I'm always open to good recipes.

Final Thoughts

I believe the best work happens when expectations are clear and communication is open. This guide isn't exhaustive, and I'm always open to feedback on how we can work together more effectively. If something isn't working, let's talk about it and adjust our approach.