Christine P. Dela Rosa Atlassian Team

Ooh, definitely tell us how that message worked out for your colleague, @nina_schmidt! I also wonder if that works when OOO emails are sent to internal teammates vs if that message was sent to people from outside the company.

I don't read Italian so I didn't consume your linked article @Fabio Genovese , but I do like the idea of using products as they are without having to resort to add-ons (even though I also like add-ons). If you happen to have an English version, I'll be game to give it a read!

Like the measurement easter egg in that message! Now I wonder how many people actually read my messages haha.

Love that language suggestion, @Kristen Roth ! I think it's important we give not only the message recipient, but ourselves the reminder that we don't have to prioritize messages the day someone is back in the office. I haven't done that before and I'm going to start using that. Thank you!

Yes! @John Funk I like the OOO message that lists the context for someone being out--when to when they'll be out, if they're available via other communication platforms. And @Anne Saunders I agree that redirecting folks to either internal pages or a backup teammate is so helpful for the person receiving the message.…

Oh yes, this one. So glad you're paving the way for others, @Fabio Genovese !

So glad you're here, @Fabio Genovese! I'm not that familiar with the "Here be the Dragons" test. What's that about and what does it mean for you to be one of the first in Italy to take it?

@Jenn Velázquez you're speaking to my soul! I really like your before/after rituals low-focus tasks before the meeting and decompression time after the meeting. It's a reminder that we can/should build the schedule that works for us and legit schedule time for these buffer activities. Just to compare notes, some of my…

@Srinatha Tondihal the event has yet to come :) We're just in the speaker application + review phase. Once we settle on speakers we'll hold the event in June. So...stay tuned for details on the actual event!

The visual cues are such invisible but important indicators of open communication! From your couch to the door sign to the literal descriptor for the Slack channel, I get how you made yourself welcoming for others. Nice!

Oooooooh, I see now. The general guideline I'm hearing: make it easier for the recipient. If you know the name of the person then spelling it out will help your listener with direction more quickly. I can appreciate that.

Comprehensive. One of the points I'm picking up is that thoroughness is important. Context, the situation itself, + the critique. Which is to also say that we're not just talking about the feedback itself when having a conversation about a critique. Good one to remember.

Wow - so many suggestions, @Mel Policicchio ! Giving a heads up that you're going to give a critique REALLY prepares someone. I've never intentionally done that before so I'll give it a try and see how it fares. And then, starting the actual critique by inquiring how the other person feels, in a way, models that the…

Love that you knew the question I had in my head as I began to read your response, @Jimmy Seddon lolol. And I totally hear that leading with a positive note is not always successful if it's mixed messages. But I Think that leading with a positive note might start both parties off from a place of shared understanding.…

The "2-way street" note is interesting. I wonder if learning-based cultures like yours have designated times (like team spars) for back-and-forth feedback time. That way, it doesn't matter how you start because each party knows what's about to come.

Asking if they're okay with receiving some or simply stating that you're going to give some, is an obvious way to prepare people to be in the right mindset for what they're about to hear. I don't know why I don't think of this as my default way to start!

Curious: is it the initials that make people feel uncomfortable? Regardless, I think preferences on how we address each other can sound very different from person to person. So this is a good reminder to perhaps not assume and ask folks how they might want to be addressed. And on the receiving end, to state what…

I don't always have the courage to do this but when I do I think it's better received than when I beat around the bush. Also, I greatly appreciate it when I see people very direct in addressing discomfort. Rad!

"You might not be aware" is pretty solid language for not assuming anything. Starts from a place of knowledge-sharing. And thank YOU for sharing your knowledge ;)

Nice, @Jimmy Seddon. This reminds me that being able to ask for help can be supported by letting people know you're willing to help/listen. What's one way you let folks know that you have an open-door policy?

Yes! Time developing relationships is valuable and I love that your team is so intentional about that.

@Andy Gladstone - Congrats! You're the winner of this week's March Musing series. I'll email you for shipping info :)

Hello @Michael Turner ! If y’all are at Team 22, I hope to meet you in person! I’m be at the Teamwork Lab booth from time to time. Be safe and hope everyone has fun :)

Sign me up for updates if/when you build that partnership/feature/product/platform ;)

For sure. Anyone with people responsibilities are people I think should be aware that they be a role model for others.

Great tie-in, yeah!

@Evangeline Black you are this week's March Musings winner. I'll reach out to you directly for logistical information. Congrats!

Yes. I too believe that these types of interactions are huge drivers of healthy teams, which ultimately, leads to higher performing teams. I'm with you, @Sarah Groube And welcome to the group btw!

Wow, 60-70%. And as a solo builder, @Ara Orden? That's believable given this post's topic, and assuming it's true, it's also evidence for how much we should invest in training, evaluating processes, and all-things team communication. PS - welcome to the group!

Absolutely. Yeah, I think that the coffee chats, per your example @Darryl Lee, are a means to better connections which ultimately lead to better teamwork. And yeah, they aren't "wastes of time;" they are integral parts to your routine :)