How We Communicate
Communcation is key, and this is the guide on how we do it
Communication is the keystone of remote work. When done well, it creates clarity and momentum; when done poorly, it causes confusion and friction (been there!)
Talk is Cheap (But Miscommunication is Expensive)
No Room for Guessing
In a remote environment, clear information sharing isn't a luxury—it's critical:
- Overcommunicate context - Never assume others have the same background information
- Document decisions - Make your thinking visible so others can follow along
- Ask "stupid" questions - There are no stupid questions - just ask, you can always use the slack channel #help
- Share work early - We are not after perfection - include people asap and ask for feedback
Pro Tip: When in doubt, write it out. Your future self (and everyone else) will thank you.
Speak in the Open
Default to public channels over private messages:
- Go public - Use shared channels whenever possible
- Make information easy to find - Help others find what they need without asking again
Who's Right Doesn't Matter
Leave Your Ego at the Door
Great work happens when ideas flow freely without egos:
- Ideas > individuals - Focus on what's being said, not who's saying it
- Feedback is not personal - Keep giving and recieving
- Team success > individual credit - We win and lose together
- Ask, don't assume - Approach challenges with curiosity, not deffensively
Disagree and Commit
Once we decide on something, it's done. From that point on, commit to the decision, take action to finalize. It's not a thing where you can win or lose - we do everything together.
Communication Tools
| Tool | Primary Use | Best Practices |
|---|---|---|
| Slack | Day-to-day discussion | - Keep it focused and useful - Use threads - Status updates in team channels |
| Linear | Project tracking | - Keep tickets updated - Link relevant discussions - One source of truth |
| Loom | Visual explanations | - Show, don't just tell - Keep under 5 minutes - Share links in relevant channels |
| Google Docs | Collaborative writing | - Comment over editing directly - Request specific feedback - Set clear editing permissions |
| Huddles | Real-time discussions | - Have a clear agenda - Record key decisions - Respect time boundaries |
The Mitdenken
We embrace the German concept of "Mitdenken" — thinking along with the whole process and not just focusing on tasks. This means:
- Understanding the "why" behind decisions
- Anticipating problems before they happen
- Taking initiative when you see opportunities
- Connecting your work to the bigger picture - you are not alone
Remember: The goal isn't just to exchange information, but to create shared understanding. When we communicate well, everything else follows.