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Communication Principles

Overview

To foster effective collaboration and promote strong teamwork, we’ve established a set of communication principles. These guidelines are designed to help us communicate more efficiently and work together cohesively as a team.

Be Loudly Blocked

If you are blocked on making further progress, loudly inform your team and follow up until assistance is provided. Do not spend more than an hour trying to solve a problem before asking someone else for help.

Communicate Effectively

Effective communication is key. It’s better to ask more questions than too few. Here are some best practices:

  • Talk to Your Team Frequently: Regular communication ensures everyone stays aligned and informed.
  • Request Clarifications: If you're unsure about something, ask for clarification without hesitation.
  • Involve Specialists: Bring in any other specialists who might provide valuable input or assistance.

Assume Positive Intent

When interacting with others, always assume positive intent. It’s easy to misinterpret actions or words negatively, but assuming positive intent promotes collaboration. Remember:

  • Everyone makes mistakes.
  • Give others the benefit of the doubt.

Prefer open communication

Aim to discuss work-related topics in public forums, such as relevant Slack channels, instead of private chats. Regardless of the intended recipient, sharing in a public forum benefits the entire team by promoting transparency and inclusivity.

Over-Communicate

While being bombarded by messages is unproductive, the harm of insufficient communication is far greater. Effective over-communication involves:

  • Repetition: If it’s worth saying once, it’s worth repeating.
  • Clarity: Succinctness is kindness. Deliver critical details clearly and concisely.
  • Follow-Up: Sharing information once doesn’t guarantee it will be remembered or understood. Reinforce important points as needed.

Ask “Stupid” Questions

There are no stupid questions. If you're unsure about something, ask for clarification or request an alternative explanation that resonates with you. Key points to remember:

  • Don’t hesitate to ask someone to explain again if needed.
  • If you’ve forgotten something, ask about it without fear.
  • Everyone is continuously learning, and it’s natural to need reminders or additional information.