We're an all-remote, global, distributed team. We're made up of many nationalities, timezones, and cultures.
Unlike in-person work cultures, we prefer async & written communication. It's more efficient, scalable, thoughtful, and compounds better.
Our ways are not standard. These communication principles define & explain our preferred style, which enables us to stay in sync.
Async communication leads to lots of notifications. This is ok. The large volume of notifications is only a problem if you do not manage it effectively.
1.1 Learn to manage your interruptions/notifications...1.2 It is OK to ping anyone, anytime...1.3 Review your notifications in batches...1.4 Process important notifications at least once daily...There is a natural, lazy tendency for humans to call meetings for everything and anything. We must fight this! Otherwise, this tendency can spread like a virus and kill productivity.
2.1 What causes unnecessary meetings?2.2 Fight to cancel meetings...2.3 Leave a meeting if your participation isn't productive...2.4 Avoid feedback meetings that can be done async...2.5 Audit your calendar every month...2.6 Don't settle for shitty meetings...What's a memo? A thorough, written message. We default, and prefer, to communicate using memos. Especially for decisions, feedback, and updates.
Writing down your thoughts forces you to be clear and allows for anyone to comment, disagree, and discuss. Memos are also easy to share, refer to, and update.
3.1 Examples of good memos...3.2 When you say it twice, write it down...3.3 Use impeccable agreements...3.4 Include context...3.5 Be clear about who you are requesting input from...3.6 Be thoughtful when using acronyms...3.7 Use RAPIDs for decision memos ‣Think of the apps you use to communicate as tools. Master them, and you will be more efficient.
4.1 Pay attention to Slack channel overviews...4.2 Use Slack canvas or Notion, not Slack chat, for content that will likely be referenced in the future...5. Communicate in Public.
By default, communicate in public. We do this to increase transparency & awareness.
Although communicating in public can feel uncomfortable at the start, you will get used to it and learn to see the value.
5.1 Work-related communication should be public...5.2 Avoid Slack DMs for work...5.3 Avoid Slack group DMs with ≥4 people...5.4 By default, share feedback in public...5.5 It is OK to DM feedback to a manager...5.6 Share the hard things in public too...5.7 If you're not sure where to share, ask.6. Keep docs tidy.
By keeping docs public, we can find them easily and avoid sending people links to docs they don't have access to. Do your part in keeping our digital office tidy to minimize the time it takes to find docs when we need them.
6.1 By default, Google docs live in your respective pod’s Archive Team Drive folder.
6.2 By default, Notion Pages live in the public Archive Teamspaces.
6.3 Restricted Notion pages live in the Archive Restricted page...
6.4 Restricted Google docs live in the Archive Restricted drive...
6.5 Personal drafts & scratchpads can be private...
6.6 Title & name your docs clearly...
6.7 Move old docs to an "Old Files" folder or page...
6.8 If you're unsure, ask...
Give Feedback!**
If you notice someone struggling with a Communication Principle, you are responsible for sharing feedback so they can improve.
Feedback and ideas to improve our Communication Principles are welcome. Feel free to leave comments in Notion, and we'll address them.