Masterclass: Remote work and management with empathy (Part 2)

TL;DR

Shogun's founders discuss the importance of transparency, trust, and direct communication in building a strong remote team culture.

Transcript

What's up guys? We're back for part two of our masterclass on remote work with Katelin Holloway, one of our newest partners at Initialized who used to be head of people at Reddit. She knows a thing or two about building billion dollar startup teams. And today she's joined by Nick Raushenbush and Finbarr Taylor of Shogun Shogun is one of the best c... Read More

Key Insights

• 😤 Transparent communication, directness, and trust are crucial for building a thriving remote team culture.
• 🤩 OKRs help establish clear goals and provide a quantitative north star for team members.
• 🤗 Creating open channels for feedback and questions fosters a culture where team members feel comfortable expressing their concerns.
• ❓ Diversity and inclusion are top priorities for Shogun, and they actively seek talent from diverse backgrounds.
• 😤 Supporting and providing resources for remote team members during challenging times demonstrates compassion and empathy.
• 😤 Compassion, flexibility, and recognizing the abnormality of the current situation are essential in managing remote teams during the COVID-19 crisis.
• 💦 Incorporating activities like weekly yoga and guided meditation can promote well-being and reduce the challenges of working from home.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Shogun stay connected with its remote team members and ensure the team culture thrives?

Shogun maintains a flat organizational structure and conducts weekly check-in calls with each member of the leadership team. They prioritize directness, transparency, and trust, creating a culture where team members can openly express their thoughts and feelings.

Q: How does Shogun measure performance and provide support to underperforming team members?

The company uses OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to set quantitative goals and provide a north star for each team member. If performance issues arise, Shogun takes a compassionate approach initially, identifying blockers and offering support. If performance continues to be an issue, a clear performance improvement plan is created with measurable goals.

Q: How does Shogun promote diversity and inclusion in their remote workforce?

Shogun focuses on hiring the best person for each role while actively seeking to increase the breadth of their talent pool. They have implemented talent acquisition strategies through platforms like Elpha and PowerToFly. They also plan to create clear career paths and promote values alignment during the interview process.

Q: How does Shogun recognize and reward its remote team members?

Shogun recognizes achievements through rewards such as recognition, title changes, and merit-based compensation adjustments. They also prioritize career growth by providing clear paths for individual development and success.

Key Insights:

• Transparent communication, directness, and trust are crucial for building a thriving remote team culture.
• OKRs help establish clear goals and provide a quantitative north star for team members.
• Creating open channels for feedback and questions fosters a culture where team members feel comfortable expressing their concerns.
• Diversity and inclusion are top priorities for Shogun, and they actively seek talent from diverse backgrounds.
• Supporting and providing resources for remote team members during challenging times demonstrates compassion and empathy.
• Compassion, flexibility, and recognizing the abnormality of the current situation are essential in managing remote teams during the COVID-19 crisis.
• Incorporating activities like weekly yoga and guided meditation can promote well-being and reduce the challenges of working from home.
• Balancing performance management with empathy and understanding is crucial to maintain a positive remote work environment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Shogun emphasizes directness and transparency in their organization, fostering a culture where team members are open about their feelings and concerns.

• Trust is essential when transitioning from an office to a remote work environment, and communication channels must be open for feedback and questions.

• The company utilizes weekly check-in calls, clear goal setting through OKRs, and regular conversations to support team members' growth and address any performance issues.