May 06, 2025 Atticus

A User Guide to Working with Atticus

Introduction

I've created this guide to help you understand how I work and think, what drives my best performance, and how we can collaborate effectively. My goal is to establish clear expectations from the start, reduce potential misunderstandings, and build strong working relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.

Who I Am

I'm Atticus Li, a Conversion Rate Optimization & UX Manager at NRG Energy, where I lead experimentation and testing across all NRG brands. With 10 years of experience working in growth marketing across ecommerce, SaaS, Banking, and Energy sectors. Throughout my career, I've generated over $1B in client acquisitions and millions in incremental revenue through data-driven experimentation, behavioral economics principles, and strategic funnel optimization.

As an INTP personality type (consistently verified over 5 years), I excel at creating order from chaos and introducing strategic disruption when needed to foster creativity and innovation. My Strengths Finder results consistently highlight my abilities as an Input collector, Learner, deep thinker (Intellection), Ideator, and Restorative problem-solver.

My Working Style

Remote Work Mastery

As a remote work native who has thrived in distributed environments throughout my entire professional career, I've developed exceptional capabilities in virtual collaboration. I've mastered the art of asynchronous communication, digital project management, and remote stakeholder alignment—delivering consistent results regardless of physical location. My proven track record includes orchestrating complex cross-functional initiatives, maintaining seamless communication across time zones, and building strong virtual relationships that drive business impact without requiring physical presence.

Adaptive Work Patterns

I've evolved a highly optimized dual-mode working pattern that maximizes my cognitive strengths throughout the day:

Morning/Daytime Focus (Strategic Execution): I dedicate my peak mental hours to high-value decision-making, strategic planning, and focused analytical work. This is when I tackle complex problems requiring clear thinking and execute on immediate priorities with precision.

Evening/Nighttime Focus (Deep Exploration): I reserve evenings for interdisciplinary thinking, comprehensive research, and creative exploration. This is when I connect seemingly unrelated concepts, dive deep into new learning areas, and develop innovative approaches without interruption.

This adaptive approach allows me to maintain both tactical excellence and strategic vision, ensuring I deliver consistent short-term results while building toward long-term innovation.

Deep Work Requirements

I structure my work around focused time blocks:

2-hour deep work sessions for complex analytical tasks
1-hour focused blocks for strategic planning and execution
Brief, intentional breaks between sessions to maintain mental clarity

I don't believe in multitasking for important work, as the context-switching cost significantly reduces quality and efficiency. I prefer to complete one high-value task at a time with full attention.

Essential Environment for Peak Performance

To deliver optimal results, I require:

Technical Setup:

MacBook Pro for design, code reviews, and technical analysis
External monitors when working on complex data visualizations
Full suite of CRO tools (Optimizely, VWO, Adobe Target, etc.)
Analytics platforms (GA4, Adobe Analytics, Amplitude) for data-informed decision making
Prototyping tools (Figma) for rapid iteration on test concepts

Workspace Optimization:

A clean, organized environment with minimal distractions
Standing desk with an ergonomic chair (preferably Herman Miller Mirra 2)
Natural lighting and proper ventilation rather than air conditioning
Comfortable temperature (research confirms cognitive performance drops in cooler environments)
Access to quiet spaces for focused work and appropriate areas for virtual meetings

Sustainable Performance:

Hydration (filtered water) and nutrition (balanced snacks) consistently available
Flexibility to change environments when needed to boost creativity
Clear boundaries between work and personal time
Regular movement throughout the day for physical and mental well-being

Effective Communication & Meetings

I value clear, purposeful communication that respects everyone's time:

Meeting Philosophy:

I believe meetings should be outcome-driven with clear agendas and action items
I prefer transforming standard check-ins into active work sessions that produce tangible results
For recurring meetings without new developments, I advocate for cancellation and asynchronous updates
I understand the human element of work—sometimes team members need to process challenges verbally, and I'm happy to provide that space when needed

Communication Preferences:

Email for context-rich, asynchronous communication requiring documentation
Slack/Teams for quick questions and time-sensitive matters
Video calls for complex discussions, collaborative problem-solving, or relationship building
I respond to most communications within 24 hours during workdays, prioritizing by urgency and impact

Office Hours Approach: For non-urgent matters, I maintain regular "office hours" for team members to discuss CRO strategies, test ideation, and performance analysis without scheduling formal meetings.

Feedback & Growth

I thrive on feedback and view it as essential to continuous improvement:

Optimal Feedback Process:

Written feedback first (email) allowing me time to process and analyze
Follow-up conversation to discuss perspectives and potential solutions
Mutual agreement on action steps and improvement measures
Check-in after 30 days to assess progress and refine approach if needed

I appreciate direct, specific feedback with clear examples and rationale. I never take constructive criticism personally—I see it as valuable data for continuous improvement.

Stress Management & Resilience

While I perform well under pressure, I've developed effective mechanisms to manage stress:

I use wearable technology (Garmin Instinct 2, Whoop) to monitor my physical stress indicators
I maintain consistent morning exercise routines to support physical resilience
I practice strategic prioritization during high-pressure periods, focusing on highest-impact activities
I recognize when I need to step back from a problem temporarily to gain fresh perspective
I maintain perspective by focusing on long-term outcomes rather than short-term setbacks

If you notice me becoming overly focused on a problem, a gentle nudge to step back for perspective is always welcome.

What Builds & Erodes Trust

Trust Builders:

Taking extreme ownership of problems and solutions
Maintaining transparency about challenges and performance
Following through consistently on commitments
Making data-driven decisions rather than relying on opinions alone
Providing candid, constructive feedback directly
Adapting quickly when strategies need adjustment

Trust Diminishers:

Victimhood mentality or blame-shifting
Consistently missing deadlines without communication
Withholding important information or context
Office politics or speaking negatively about colleagues behind their backs
Resistance to measurement or accountability
Prioritizing being right over finding the right solution

My Core Strengths

My colleagues and managers consistently highlight these strengths:

Analytical Prowess: "One of the smartest analysts I've ever worked with" with "exceptional ability to work with various stakeholders, ranging from executives to technical teams" (Chad Williams, SVB)
Data Integrity: "Unwavering dedication to ensuring the veracity of data. He delves deep into its origins, scrutinizing its quality, and unearthing potential pitfalls" (Blake Park, SVB)
Strategic Problem-Solving: "A true problem solver. Instead of stopping at observations, he takes it upon himself to offer actionable recommendations that drive real-world performance improvements" (Blake Park, SVB)
Intellectual Curiosity: "Relentless curiosity fuels his pursuit of innovative solutions. He is an early adopter, constantly exploring emerging technologies to uncover new possibilities" (Blake Park, SVB)
Creative Thinking: "A creative problem-solver who surprises me with his original ideas. When challenges arise and opportunities emerge, you want him in the room" (Jesse Will, SVB)
Knowledge Sharing: "Extremely knowledgeable about marketing analytics and was excellent at educating others on the topic" (Monica Driscoll, SVB)

Beyond Work

The full person extends beyond professional capabilities. Outside of work, I'm passionate about:

Reading extensively across economics, psychology, history, behavioral economics, and classic literature
Testing principles from books like "Die With Zero" by Bill Perkins through intentional experience collection
Continuous learning through diverse courses (coding, tactical driving, cooking)
Exploring Austin's food scene, particularly Asian cuisine, tacos, and Texas BBQ
Engaging in deep philosophical discussions that challenge conventional thinking
Connecting ideas across disciplines to develop novel approaches to problems

Final Thoughts

I value collaboration, continuous learning, and building systems that generate meaningful results. I thrive in environments that balance structure with flexibility and appreciate working with people who take ownership of their responsibilities.

I hope this guide helps you understand how to work effectively with me, and I look forward to learning about your working style as well.