It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work

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Why do I like Basecamp (ex 37 signals)? Of course, because of the number 37 itself. However, they did a great job when they showed how to do a great product with a small but motivated team without bureaucracy.

What they also do really well — they make statements, which are opposite to the current managerial dogmas. And you realize that it is not only you who is a black swan, but there are also the others who think in the same way.

I missed the new BaseCamp’s book It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work in October. But now I’ve read it. And it looks really good. Especially the ideas behind it, like:

• Commitment, not consensus — Good decisions don’t so much need consensus as they need commitment.
• Promise not to promise — Promises pile up like debt and they accrue interest, too. Promises are easy and cheap to make, actual work is hard and expensive.
• The wrong time for real-time — Following group chat at work is like being in an all-day meeting with random participants and no agenda. It’s completely exhausting. Chat is great as a small slice but not the whole pie of communication.

A Must Read.