We Default to Transparency
Transparency is our starting point so that everyone has equal access to the information they need.
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What this value means:
- We flip the bit to justify opacity instead of justifying transparency.
- Transparency is our starting point, and we make choices together about what requires opacity.
How to live this value:
- Open documents by default and only close them down with good reasons.
- Share data among teams to ensure everyone can make informed decisions.
- Capture internal meetings (audio and video) and decide later whether to use them internally or externally.
- *Even/Over Statements for this value:*
- Open over Closed
- @Mentions in Slack Group Chats over Slack Direct Messages
- This also supports the I of ARCI (informing), efficiently communicating changes to all concerned parties
What this value doesn't mean:
- Not all information is transparent; we make thoughtful choices about what requires opacity.
Why this value is important to us:
- It empowers everyone in the organization with the information they need to make the best decisions.
- It fosters a culture of trust and openness, which is crucial for effective collaboration.
Putting it into action:
- If you find yourself having a conversation that sounds like "Should we open up access to this document?", you’re not flipping the bit. The document should start as open, and the conversation should instead be, "Do we have good reasons to close access to this document? What are they? Are there any objections to scoping the access down to a smaller group?"
- Share data among teams so everyone can make the best decisions
- Make this data structured and accessible
- We default to capturing internal meetings (audio and video), and then we decide whether we use them internally or externally
- If you have a question and you’re not sure what to do, default to asking because others likely have the same question
- We ask for the good of our Crew even if we feel embarrassed to do so
Testimonials
At Storytell, transparency is key. We discuss task updates openly in public Slack channels, making it easy for team members to find relevant information quickly. Ensuring everyone stays informed and has quick access to what they need.
Pat Intervalo
Customer Experience Admin
By putting everything on the table, it removes misunderstandings and any potential animosity. It also helps the Crew to move independently by jumping over blockers easily and getting what they might need for a task more easily, a.k.a promoting the habit of unblocking one’s self.
Angela Baylon
Content Manager
Being transparent cultivates a culture of trust and openness. This also empowers everyone in the organization with the necessary information to make the best decisions and enhance effective collaboration. This aligns with the organization's commitment to transparency and strengthens team cohesion and mutual respect.
Lex Piga
Operations Assistant
Notes, meetings, and agendas, and tools are open and available for everyone to view so everyone is better equipped to make the best decisions.
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Mark Ku
Customer Experience Specialist
As an Operations Lead, the value of transparency has enabled me to resolve roadblocks almost entirely on my own. Having access to key information allows me to navigate tasks and projects efficiently without needing to rely on others’ time or bandwidth. Aside from efficiency, this value also underscores the importance we place on trust and openness across the team.
Margaux Dolores
Operations Lead
Knowing that information is open and accessible by default means I can step into any task with the confidence that I have what I need to make informed decisions. It really fosters a sense of trust and collaboration because everyone’s in the loop.
Jamie So
Executive Admin