As I don’t want to re-invent the wheel, my approach is based on the research done by Google for Project Oxygen. This approach can apply to your matrix organization (with designers, data analysts, engineers and data scientist) or your product team if you are managing one.

Project Oxygen is an internal research initiative conducted by Google aimed at identifying the key behaviors and qualities that make effective managers within the company. The project was initiated by Google's People Operations (HR) team in 2008 with the goal of improving managerial effectiveness and overall employee satisfaction.

The Project Oxygen team analyzed vast amounts of performance data, employee surveys, and feedback to identify patterns and characteristics associated with successful managers at Google. The research was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather insights from employees at various levels and across different teams.

The findings of Project Oxygen led to the identification of eight key behaviors or attributes that were consistently exhibited by Google's best managers. These behaviors became the guiding principles for effective management within the company.

The behaviors identified by Project Oxygen include:

Eight Good Behaviors

1. Be a good coach

• Provide specific, constructive feedback, balancing the negative and the postive.
• Have regular one-on-ones, presenting solutions to problems tailored to your employees’ specific strengths.

2. Empower your team and don’t micromanage

• Balance giving freedom to your employees, while still being available for advice. Make “stretch” assignments to help the team tackle big problems.

3. Express interest in team members’ success and personal well-being

• Get to know your employees as people, with lives outside of work.
• Make new members of your team feel welcome and help ease their transition.

4. Be productive and results-oriented

• Focus on the outcome and what employees want the team to achieve and how they can help achieve it.
• Help the team prioritize work and use seniority to remove roadblocks.

5. Be a good communicator and listen to your team