BUILD & FOSTER
AN OPEN CULTURE
IN YOUR TEAM
Give your team the right tools and avoid frustration by miscommunication. Improve text communication in your Slack and make sure everyone is on the same page.
NO MORE READING BETWEEN THE LINES
Message templates that make you
think before hitting enter.
Use proven communication methods to ensure clarity and alignment in every message.
Templates that help structure thoughts, making it easier to get the right response the first time.
Add to Slack
Time spent on clarifying
is time wasted.
Asynchronous communication is great until unclear messages lead to back-and-forth that costs you hours.
Stop with pointless threads. Start with a clear message.
🤔 Why so vague? Couldn't you say that at the start?
🙄 Am I supposed to do something with this?
Don't make intent a guessing game for others.
Make it clear upfront—whether you're making the call here or just pointing someone in a direction.
Misalignment wastes time, creates confusion and frustration.
Make your team think about intent before clicking send.
🤔 Do they want my input, or just keeping me in the loop?
🤷 Is this up for discussion, or a done deal?
Addressing everyone is like addressing no one.
A message without a clear ask is just noise.
Be direct - need a decision, volunteers, or feedback? Say it.
😉 I guess somebody else will take care of it...
How to use Open Book (effectively)
Step #1: Setup
Once you've added Open Book to your Slack, everyone in your team can start using it by typing /openmsg. This opens up a structured way to communicate expectations clearly.
Step #2: Introduce
Introduce Open Book to your team and explain why it's useful. A quick message like “Hey everyone, we're using Open Book to make our communication clearer. Just type /openmsg when you want to set expectations upfront.” can go a long way.
Step #3: Identify situations when Open Book is needed
Open Book is a Slack app that helps you communicate more effectively. It provides a set of templates for different types of messages, so you can quickly and easily create clear and concise messages.
Step #4: Encourage Adoption
If you notice vague messages in your team, remind teammates about Open Book. A simple “Hey, this might be a good case for/openmsg!” can help reinforce better communication habits.
