Give your first job

Give your first job

A good assignment sounds like something you would say to a capable new employee.

Include four things

1. The result: What should be finished?
2. The source: Which inbox, calendar, document, or connected tool should it use?
3. The audience: Who will read or receive the result?
4. The timing: Is this for now, after an event, or on a schedule?

Example

When a new email with “estimate request” arrives in Gmail, read the full thread and draft a friendly reply in my voice. Include the scheduling link from our company knowledge. Put the draft in Approvals for me.

Improve the job with feedback

Respond to the result as you would to an employee: “Use bullets for the open items,” “always include the project number,” or “make customer replies warmer and shorter.” Add a lasting preference to the employee’s instructions when you want it used every time.