Ability to communicate clearly, proactively, and kindly. You initiate the communication in challenging situations. You behave in a way that ensures safety, inclusion, and recognition of colleagues. Your behavior leaves space for others to speak, and to disagree with your views. You contribute positively to our culture.
One example of success in this area: One of your teammates has a frequent habit of interrupting others in meetings, especially when they’re excited about an idea. You find them after a meeting, and directly but kindly deliver this feedback. They don’t know what you’re talking about. You ask if it would be okay to stop them next time this happens. They agree. In the future, the team feels comfortable with giving feedback about interrupting in meetings in the moment.
| Level | Skills |
| L1 (eng intern) |
- Communicates clearly and kindly with team mates
- Is conscious and respectful of team's agreements (eg: core working hours)
- Communicates with the intent to learn, and creates a safe space for others to disagree
- Works easily/successfully with most colleagues and/or teams
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| L2 (engineer) |
- Shares thoughts in a way that fosters further conversation and leaves space for others
- Actively works to build a more inclusive team
- Takes responsibility for their mistakes and/or misunderstandings, and can then focus on future improvements at the personal or team level
- Asks questions with humility, adding context about their existing knowledge or uncertainty
- Is self-aware and seeks feedback from their pair in the moment to ensure they are aligned
- Initiates cross team communication when necessary
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| L3 (senior engineer) |
- Sets an example for clear and kind communication in a disagreement
- Actively works to ensure quieter teammates have room to share and get recognition for their ideas
- Openly reflects on the impact of their own behaviour and makes improvements
- Recognizes and gives T.A.S.K feedback about exclusionary behaviour
- Tailors their communication style to collaborate well with a variety of personalities
- Fosters a healthy learning environment, by teaching and modeling a blameless culture. e.g. Facilitates growth-oriented discussion following a mistake or fire, encourages teammates to share their own growth goals
- Brings teams together by promoting cross team collaboration (including orchestrating logistics, facilitating group meetings)
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| L4 (staff engineer) |
- Strongly facilitates decision-making where there are several conflicting viewpoints
- Knows their blind spots and actively works towards managing them
- Coaches colleagues on how to facilitate conversations and meetings that allow other quieter teammates to share and get recognition for their ideas
- Skillfully speaks up to address exclusionary behaviour in the moment
- Coaches colleagues to recognize areas which could be benefitted by cross team collaboration
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| L5 (eng director) |
- Is a source of guidance across the org in areas of productively managing personal conflict and/or contention
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