I read about this concept a few years ago and it has been on my mind ever since: in one company, department heads created a "user manual" for all employees — information about how to discuss work tasks, what annoys them, what is unacceptable, what they like, and what they are passionate about in their free time.

I have never seen such documents anywhere, but every time I join a team or build one, I realize how necessary they are.

A week ago, I took on a huge federal project as a subcontractor, where there are dozens of people in chats, including government officials. I don't know any of them, and it's unclear who is our friend and who has a grudge against us (just in case).

This morning started with a Gen Z intern asking me how to address me.

If there were instructions for all people — who, what, how to address, why, at what time, what the approval process is — it would be easier. It would be easier to get acquainted, to onboard, and to find new work friends. Everything would be easier, literally.

When I have time, I will implement such a knowledge base not only for processes and projects but also for people.