Slack Communication Playbook

Purpose: Create a shared understanding of how we use Slack to stay aligned, productive, and respectful of each other’s time. Slack should amplify collaboration — not create noise or distraction.

✅ Slack Communication Agreements (The 9 Rules)

Agreement	Summary
📣 1. Default to Public Communication	Ask in public channels first. DMs are for personal check-ins or sensitive convos.
🚨 2. Use @here and @channel responsibly	@channel only in emergencies. Use @here for non-urgent updates to active users.
🧵 3. Thread It Up	Always respond in threads to keep conversations clean. Use follow/unfollow wisely.
🎭 4. Use Emojis for Engagement	Use emoji reactions to confirm, acknowledge, or agree.
🧠 5. Protect Your Focus Time	You’re not expected to be “always on.” Quit Slack when you need to focus.
💭 6. Set Your Slack Status	Let your team know when you’re in focus mode, in a meeting, or away.
🔐 7. Don’t Share Passwords	Use a secure tool (like 1Password) to share sensitive data — never Slack.
⏲ 8. Respond Within 24 Hours	Acknowledge all messages/questions daily. You don’t have to solve them immediately.
🥳 9. Contribute to Slack Culture	Make Slack fun and personal — memes, emojis, shoutouts welcome.

🔍 Why This Matters

Slack is more than a messaging tool — it’s a real-time layer of your operating system. Left unmanaged, it can create silos, stress, and wasted time. With clear agreements in place, your team can:

Communicate more efficiently
Avoid distractions
Promote transparency
Reinforce culture

📋 Slack Communication Worksheet

Use this worksheet to audit your team habits, onboard new teammates, or run a Slack hygiene workshop.

✅ Slack Agreement Checklist

Agreement	Are We Aligned?	Notes / Actions Needed
1. Default to public communication	☐ Yes ☐ No
2. @here/@channel used appropriately	☐ Yes ☐ No
3. Thread replies consistently	☐ Yes ☐ No
4. Emojis used for engagement	☐ Yes ☐ No
5. Focus time is protected and respected	☐ Yes ☐ No
6. Slack status used regularly	☐ Yes ☐ No
7. Passwords never shared in Slack	☐ Yes ☐ No
8. All messages get a response in 24 hrs	☐ Yes ☐ No
9. Slack culture is active and fun	☐ Yes ☐ No

🔄 Personal Slack Habits Reflection

How often do I check Slack each day?
Do I use status updates during focus time or PTO?
When do I send messages in public vs private?
Am I using threads and emoji reactions?
What’s one Slack habit I could improve?

🛠️ Team Slack Improvements

What’s working well in our Slack usage?
What’s not working or causing friction?
Where do we need to tighten or reinforce these agreements?
Who will own communicating these updates?

SaaS Operations