The SOP of Me | Notion

How I think

I see the world through the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and am a better iterator than innovator. I thrive when my day is time-blocked and includes time for deep work.
I only check email two to three times daily and am at my worst when late for meetings or deadlines. If it’s not in my calendar or task manager, it won’t happen.
My personal interest is the intersection of workflow and leadership, hence the name of my LLC. You can count on me to step back and consider how we perform the work.
Doris Kearns Goodwin says the hierarchy of communication is nodding, speaking, and writing. I will answer and return phone calls as soon as able; expect a same day response to texts or chats and next business day to emails.

Execution
- Version control prevents confusion. Use change tracking and share links instead of creating or attaching files.
- Do your research and don't duplicate what already exists. Simply follow, point to, or update it.
- Keep the reader in mind and make your writing useful. Clearly state your purpose up front. Use an AI-based writing partner and read your writing aloud.
- Avoid passive voice and use “per” instead of “in accordance with.”
- The less acronyms and abbreviations, the better.
- Specific and properly rounded numbers are more impressive than adjectives.
- Not everything gets capitalized. When in doubt, follow the GPO Style Manual.
- "Patrick M. Lineberry" for formal stuff and "Pat Lineberry" for everything else.
Coordination
- “Real time sometimes, asynchronous most of the time.”
- Email ping-pong is terrible for coordination, hire a savvy administrative assistant or use booking software.
- Don’t use the system defaults for meeting length, think about the overall purpose and develop an agenda. Consider a reverse meeting or office hours instead.
- Take time after the meeting to process it. For every hour of meeting, schedule one hour of no meetings for deep work.

I have a negative reaction to the following (and continue to work on responding better):