This is a "human user guide" aimed at helping people better understand me as a colleague. It is a structured evolution of my "Operating Manual" I wrote in 2022.

Bio

Kevin has worked in developer relations & experience since 2014 spanning tooling, education, and initiatives that support developers to learn and succeed with new technologies. He also runs Hack Labs, a hackathon consultancy focused on research & development, and was previously Director of You Got This, a program centered around core skills education for developers. He is a JavaScript developer, avid boardgamer, tired dad of two amazing kids, and shameless Disney adult. He is based in Berlin despite not drinking beer or liking techno.

Some public talk links so you can see my style:

• Building a Video Production Strategy - DevRelCon New York 2024
• The Art of Instructional Writing - You Got This Spring 2024
• Beyond the Kitchen Sink: Making the Case for Small Demos - DevRelCon Prague 2022
• Building a Eurovision Voting System - EngineersMY Meetup
• DIYing My Wedding The Hacker's Way - CityJS Conf Berlin 2023
• Create Issues from Directus with GitHub (Video) - Quick Connect
• Build an Audio Podcast Summarizer in Directus Automate with Deepgram (Livestream) - Directus Leap Week June 2024

About me

My name is Kevin (Kev is fine too). Online my username is either phazonoverload (fey-zon-over-load) or shortened to _phzn. I use he/him pronouns.

I am British and lived in London for most of my life but moved in late 2022 to Berlin, Germany with my family which includes two wonderful daughters (born 2020 and 2022). My partner lives in the Netherlands, so you can sometimes find me near Amsterdam/Leiden.

I am fluent in English and I am currently learning German at a basic level. I am also learning to play the keyboard.

Some of my often underutilized skills come from my past lives running a developer events agency (conferences, hackathons, workshops, meetups) including events with high safeguarding requirements. I have also previously been a video editor.

What are some honest, unfiltered things about you?

• I love to talk — I try to keep this to a fair amount and make sure everyone gets their time, but feel no concern in telling me it's enough.
• I casually swear in most conversations, though I have the ability to turn this off when it would be inappropriate.
• I am chronically online and am prone to making references to internet culture.
• I spend effort to win others over when meeting them. I quickly try to build rapport and friendships and want people to like me.
• I am very direct and will not give false praise. I will tell you when something isn't right or doesn't meet expectations, and when I tell you I am happy with or appreciate your work I mean it.

What drives you nuts?

• When people aren't reliable and deliver what they say they will by the agreed upon time. There's always understanding when things happen, but it needs to be communicated ahead of time and not become a pattern. Otherwise I won't ask you to do things.
• When people don't tell me they are unhappy with me and sit on it. I can only address what I know about.
• When people refuse input, opinion, or suggestions that is based on either significant relevant experience or data.
• When people prioritize humor/edginess over care and concern for everyone.
• I have a low tolerance for repeated mistakes of the same kind. We learn by doing things wrong, but if you don't learn that is a problem.
• I hate postponing/delaying/blocking decision-making without good cause. It kills momentum and motivation which might otherwise be there.

What are your quirks?

• I get very excited about things I like or am interested in. This sometimes means I repeat stories/recommendations.
• This comes with a tendency to obsessively research things I am learning about. We're talking expert knowledge in niche fields, or understanding key details in product categories before purchase.
• People often describe me as strategic, but I see it as a skill for identifying the most efficient path to a solution. I use my ability to analyze patterns and predict outcomes to make informed decisions.
• In group settings lacking a clear leader, I frequently drive the decision-making process by focusing on logical, quality solutions.
• I take on a lot and tend to say 'yes'. I feel like not doing this may be perceived as not being collaborative, even if they don't work towards my personal/team goals.
• What you see is what you get - I am very transparent about my feelings/thoughts. I am not conflict-adverse but I don't seek it - I'd rather have an uncomfortable interaction to clear the air and make a conflict productive and, at all times, try to make sure it doesn't feel personal.
• I sometimes interrupt the flow of a conversation if I have a thought I think is important to share. This is usually because I'm excited, I think I'll lose it if I don't say it now, or it has to be said to steer the conversation. This is not a trait I like and I'm working on it.
• I’m a bit scatterbrained when brainstorming. If I’m going off in a direction you don’t think is useful - tell me. I won’t be offended and it’ll help us stay effective.

What are some things that people might misunderstand about you that you should clarify?

• That I'm a buzzkill or no fun. This sometimes comes up when shooting down ideas based on my knowledge of how ideas may be negatively received by particular groups. I have a wicked sense of humor but not in the context of work.
• That I don't get to the point. I tend to provide all relevant background/context that I think is important to contextualize the point. This means a short answer might come with a long story, but not without cause.
• That I always want it my way. I have conviction in my views but very rarely are they hills I will die on. If they are I'll make that clear (and often this will be because I have direct relevant experience or contrary views have the possibility of causing harm.)

About my colleagues

What qualities do you particularly value in your colleagues?

• I love being able to have a nice chat about personal lives. It might sound like I'm a very good robot but in an all-remote context taking time to understand hobbies/families/lives is super rewarding.
• Tell me your hobbies. Talk about them. Teach me about them.
• I love people who get stuff done with high accuracy on on time/budget.
• I love to understand where stuff is at without needing to come and ask explicitly. I don't care how I can find that out and whether it's specific to you, but let me know and I'll check there first.
• Be honest and transparent and please cut the bullshit. Tell me what you need to even if you think I won't like it. Give the context I need to understand. This matters even more when things aren't going to plan.
• Give the right level of detail. I don't need to know the tiny details, but I need enough to feel informed.
• Understand the long-term requirements of work started - specifically thinking about maintenance in the context of limited capacity.
• Ask me the question you need to ask. If you know what you're trying to learn ask me that, not an abstracted question. We will get the answer quicker.
• Be clear what is fact and what is opinion. I am highly trusting, so if you present something as fact I have no reason to disbelieve you. If the difference between fact and opinion is relevant, make it clear what your statement is.
• Disagree and commit. We might not always agree, and regardless of where we land, I expect everyone (including me) to get fully behind a decision once made and deliver to the best of their ability. To make this successful, we should explicitly agree once the point to commit has been reached.

What do you wish colleagues didn’t do?

• Fail to give credit where it is due, ideally to the specific person/people rather than a generic team or leader.
• I don't like learning about people's unhappiness with me from a third party (talking behind my back.) I can take criticism.
• People who don't listen/retain information. Ask follow-ups, tell me to explain it a different way, but once you accept information I expect you to mostly retain it.
• Leave work that I'm waiting on or expecting until the last moment. Especially if I feel the work you're doing is less important generally.
• Lack accountability. It's ok with things don't go to plan as long as we learn from them but don't explain it away or spin a narrative that saves your butt. I see right through it.
• Have shiny object syndrome. Also known as: neglecting long term, unexciting, work for things which feel fun and new. Often they get discarded too and there's a pile of half-loved projects in existence.
• Not provide feedback constructively. I'll welcome critique but within that same conversation I like knowing how we can improve if possible - that can be driven by one person or both, but dangling negativity takes it's toll.
• Be perfectionists. Once a project reaches a point where further effort doesn’t improve the outcome by an equal amount, I prefer people don't waste time without good cause.
• More for managers/leaders: constantly changing process. Every process change takes time to adapt to so once I do I'd like the chance to be working with it for a longer period.

How can people earn an extra gold star with you?

• Show appreciation to work that colleagues deliver - doesn't have to be me.
• Share your knowledge and expertise. I love learning new things especially in areas I know little about.
• Support during crunch time. Offering help or stepping in during a busy period to lighten the load is a gesture I deeply appreciate.
• Be proactive - the best problems are problems already solved.
• Let's have a laugh together. I have cry-laughed at work and I love it.

About my interactions

What’s the best way to communicate with you?

• I try and be succinct but I tend to write longer messages, and several of them back to back.
• If writing something is going to take a while (5-10 minutes or more), just call me. This doesn't need to feel like a 'meeting' but just an efficient exchange of information.
• However, write stuff down if there needs to be permanence.
• Even with clear requests, always provide relevant context. I am swift to act when asked for opinions or solutions, but I can only be effective in offering suitable solutions if I understand all of the context.
• Please try to not be late to meetings. If you are running late, communicate this ahead of our meeting start time.
• I prefer a "one and done" style of meeting. There are times where having time to think on decisions is valuable, but where possible I like to see a topic through to it’s conclusion in one go.

What’s the best way to convince you to do something?

This is a one-point response - explain why a change will impact the outcome. Factor in the effort already spent. I really don't like feeling like I've wasted time on work that'll never be progressed, so there is definitely a small emotional aspect there too.

How do you like to give and get feedback?

• Timing and Context: I believe in capturing feedback immediately while the experience is fresh, but I prefer to organize and share it in a more formal setting to ensure clarity and structure.
• Tone: My approach is constructive and solutions-driven, focusing on what can be done better next time. I aim to provide practical guidance for improvement. I am a 'fixer' even if the other person needs someone to only listen - tell me if that's what you need.
• Balance: While I tend to focus on being critical and highlighting on areas for improvement in my own work, I appreciate when others balance this with positive affirmation. I strive to provide a mix of constructive criticism and appreciation when giving feedback to others but will always be direct.
• Specificity: I like the use of specific examples to illustrate points made, which helps feedback be actionable and allow for context-specific follow-up questions.
• Delivery: For joint projects, I find guided retrospectives effective. For individual feedback, I prefer calls over written communication, as they allow for immediate clarification and prevent over-analysis of written words.
• Emotional Consideration: I am direct in my feedback, both positive and negative. I am open to adjusting my style if someone indicates a need for a different approach and welcome immediate feedback on my delivery style.

Working Style & Communication Preferences

• I value flexibility in working hours, and that cuts both ways. Sometimes I’ll be away from my desk, but I’m equally happy to work late if needed.
• I am chronically-online, meaning that I will check in with emails and messages throughout the day, even outside of working hours. I will always aim to be clear about how much headspace I can give a request if I’m not at my desk ("I can do that tomorrow", etc).
• I don’t mind taking ad-hoc late meetings and recognize this is part of working in a global company, but I value recurring meetings being within my core work hours if possible.
• I will post links/thoughts/updates at any waking hour. I absolutely do not expect you to respond or engage until you are working.

Talk To Me About

• Work-related:
  • JavaScript (Node/Vue)
  • (Sustainable) open-source
  • Community management
  • Video design and production
  • Everything events: running, sponsoring, speaking, logistics, swag, collateral, etc
  • Education in various forms: writing, video, workshops, talks
• Personal:
  • Boardgames (my collection)
  • Records (my collection)
  • Tattoos (my collection)
  • The Legend of Zelda as a game franchise
  • Disney (films, TV, parks, tattoos)
  • Achievable cooking (I'm getting better)
  • Fun things to do/watch with young kids