True Triads: The Secrets To Thriving Agile Teams In A Distributed Working World
At the beginning of 2018, Christina Bell [pictured] made the move from Auckland to Sydney to join Atlassian’s graduate program.
Since then, Bell has moved up the Atlassian ranks, becoming a full-time software engineer and mentoring new graduates looking to follow in her footsteps.
Even as she excelled in an industry-leading engineering team at Atlassian, there was an urge to return home to New Zealand at some point.
With COVID-19 plunging the world into lockdown early last year, these feelings became more pronounced.
“I always had the intention to move back home to New Zealand, but with COVID-19 and the lockdowns, the desire to move closer to family increased,” Bell told B&T.
“It was even more challenging because I had family members in New Zealand struggling with serious health issues, and it was tough not being able to just hop on a plane and visit.”
And while the pandemic might have pressed pause on international travel, it did serve as the catalyst to the biggest shift towards remote work ever seen.
This approach has been embraced by Atlassian, with the company launching its TEAM Anywhere work policy – allowing employees the flexibility to work as distributed teams.
Distributed working provided Bell with the opportunity to move back to New Zealand and in March of this year she relocated.
“Atlassian has been incredibly supportive. I always thought I would have to give up my job in order to move home. I am so grateful to have this opportunity,” Bell said.
“In fact, Atlassian went one step further by providing me with thorough guidelines, support and resources to help inform my decision to move home.
“Atlassian’s ‘distributed-first’ approach helped me feel comfortable making this big decision, particularly knowing my career growth would stay on the same trajectory.”
Making distributed teams work
Atlassian’s approach to distributed work not only allows individuals like Bell to thrive, but also ensures teams stay connected and on track, regardless of the location.
Bell works within a TRIAD team (engineering, product management and design), meaning she and her team are constantly solving complex problems.
“One of the things we have done to support innovation is to be more intentional about our time,” Bell said.
“As a team, we ensure we’re deliberate about what collaboration has to be synchronous over Zoom, and what can be done asynchronously via Confluence or Slack.”
Bell pointed to “Lightweight Decision Records” – or LDRs – as an example of this approach in action.
While it is inevitable that the team will uncover problems when implementing solutions, LDRs allow team members to outline the issue and the intended solution as they find it.
This can then be left on a Confluence page for other team members to consume and approve at a time that is convenient for them.
“As an engineer, this increases our autonomy and ensures we are accountable for considering problems from a customer perspective, as well as an engineering one,” Bell said.
“It also provides greater flexibility for TRIAD members, by reducing meetings on an already busy calendar. This allows for increased focus time and deep thinking for technical innovation.”
To further maximise everyone’s time, Bell’s team conducts their daily standup via Slack.
Not only does this help everyone better manage their time, but increases written communications and sharing amongst the team — rather than a passing conversation. This drives greater participation, equality and broader perspectives.
“I often hear about a lack of ‘water cooler’ conversations as a negative outcome of remote working, but in my opinion, this has helped level the playing field,” Bell said.
“Since we can capture these conversations in a written format, it provides opportunities for everyone to see what is going on. You don’t miss out if you didn’t happen to be at the ‘water cooler’ when the conversation happened.”
“Much of what we do now is still very much the same”
While Slack and Zoom might have replaced in-person meetings, Bell believes the fundamentals for how her team communicates have remained consistent.
“Much of what we do now is still very much the same,” she said.
“When we were in the office, some team members occasionally worked from home, and we’ve always collaborated with dispersed teams, globally. For example, my TRIAD works with teams in Bengaluru, so we were often dialling in colleagues to our meetings before.”
Bell added that the team has been helpful working across timezones, particularly now she is living in New Zealand.
“I think this really promotes inclusion and helps ensure everyone’s voice is heard,” she said.
“When Atlassian offices reopen, the rule of thumb is, that if one person is remote, all members will join Zoom individually via their laptops – ensuring everyone is equally included.”
While distributed working provides employees with a great deal of flexibility, a common drawback is the loss of face-to-face interactions and the coinciding social culture.
To remedy this, Bell’s team has added two social Zoom chats each week (where everyone is invited to discuss all things non-work related) and has also incorporated some special virtual team building events throughout the quarter, such as escape rooms and cocktail making classes.
These sorts of initiatives are also being rolled out across the wider company.
“Atlassian always had an incredible culture in the office. Maintaining that culture remotely is challenging, but we have an amazing Workplace Experience team who are experimenting with lots of awesome initiatives in this new world,” Bell said.
“This has included pivoting our annual A-Festival to be a remote care package (employees were given the choice of an ice cream maker or movie projector), and providing remote events like Friday DJs, online workout classes, and social activities.”
There is also emphasis being placed on mental health, with employees being supported through access to a variety of tools including — Headspace subscription, Modern Health app with 1:1 coaching support, licensed therapist sessions, and additional COVID-19 paid Special Leave.
“The mental health conversation has been driven by senior leaders, which really encourages myself and my team members to carve out the time for our mental wellbeing,” Bell said.
“Having Atlassian be so supportive and understanding makes me feel valued as an employee.”
Latest News
EMG/Gravity Media Names New Managing Director
The makers of Australia's Got Talent has been a magnet for senior hires in recent times.
Opinion: Shark Tank’s Sabri Suby Slams Politicians Jumping On TikTok Ban Bandwagon
Are politicians actually scaremongering about TikTok or just fed up of you doom-scrolling in the work bogs?
TV Ratings: “Ivana Was Robbed” – Final Three Contestants Revealed On Australian Idol
B&T's unsure if these Idol contestants look extra young or whether we are as old as we feel.
Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup
Out-of-home OOH) and digital media leader Prashand Menon (lead image) has joined OOH ad tech company Veridooh as group business director within NSW and QLD. Menon joins Veridooh from his most recent role as ScentreGroup’s group business director and brings with him more than 10 years of experience in Australian media. Previously, he held positions […]
Creative Content Studio OK COOL Answers APAC’s Call, Opening In Melbourne
Life set to get extra confusing for new agency staffers mistaking OK COOL for a pass-ag housemate text message.
Harry’s Cafe de Wheels & Hipages Launch New Pie To Fuel Tradies While On The Tools
The pies should apparently be better for tradies' health, apparently but won't be better for on-site ribbing.
Women Leading Tech’s Woman Of The Year Megan Dalla-Camina: What’s The True Cost Of Cutting DEI Spending?
Cutting DE&I spending might seem easy but you might change your mind when faced with Dalla-Camina's ire.
Thrive Introduces A Batch Of New Senior Leadership Roles
You could say that Thrive is set to thrive with these new hires. But that would be too obvious.
It’s Coming Home! Sponsors Make Subbuteo World Cup Finals Free
No idea what Subbuteo is? You clearly had a more exciting childhood than our editorial team.
Media Bigwigs Bet On Predictive Intelligence Platform Prophet In $5M Seed Funding
Prophet, profit, geddit? Must be laugh-a-minute in this startup's office.
CommsDeclare Brands Shell Energy An “Olympic Gaslighter” & Urges Agencies Not To Pitch For Creative Account
And we thought the gaslight Olympics took place in the Coogee Bay Hotel smoking area!
AFL Wins Battle With Warner Bros. As New AFL Team Is Revealed
There hasn't been this much wrangling over a cartoon animal since, well, ever!
BBC Podcasts Go Global With Amazon Music
Ironically, BBC podcasts unlikely to be available in the Amazon given the lack of signal.
Johnson & Johnson’s Former Consumer Healthcare Arm Reviews Creative
J&J inspired by Scottish term for knowledge 'ken' in its rebrand; nothing says 'wise' like a shot of Listerine.
Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency
After more than twelve years of producing experiences for some of the world’s most innovative brands, including Hermes, Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co, Kat & Co has quietly metamorphosed into THE WORLD OF. THE WORLD OF is an experiential agency at the juncture of culture, technology and the human condition. […]
Adobe Brings Firefly Generative AI Into Substance 3D Workflows
Still unclear of what generative AI actually is? Steer clear of this story.
Clemenger BBDO Introduces Saucy Campaign With Declan Cleary & Lee Kum Kee
When we heard this was a saucy campaign, we thought it be the barbecue and ketchup showdown we'd been waiting for.
Gawk Acquires 40 Billboard Locations From Transad
Gawk makes it move out of VIC into NSW with acquisition. Has promised to stop going on about Melbourne nightlife.
All About Attribution: Commission Factory Releases New eBook
Ever wanted to dive deep into channel attribution? Consider this the perfect springboard.
SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two
Through a licensing agreement with Legendary Entertainment, SMG Studio inked the rights to adapt Dune: Part Two into a game based on Risk: Global Domination, Hasbro’s interactive board game. Inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic masterpiece, Dune: Part Two, this new digital adaptation, RISK: Global Domination X Dune: Part Two, is poised to captivate players from […]
RMIT Study Reveals That 73% Of Employees Don’t Believe Gen AI Is Relevant
Noticing staff switching off when you tell them about gen AI? Understand why here.
Australian Eggs Launches Egg-citing New Campaign Via Connecting Plots
How do you like your eggs in the morning? We usually skip them and go straight for the darts and whisky.
Future Lions 2024 Invites Young People To Be Heard With Spotify
Future Lions, of course, is the AKQA-backed student initiative at Cannes Lions, not a feeder for the rugby team.
QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market
Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival have had a dramatic impact on the number of people moving in and around Sydney over the past month, drawing big crowds into the heart of the city and its surrounding suburbs. New data from digital outdoor company QMS reveals a […]
Legend John McEnroe Joins Pepperstone’s Team Of Global Tennis Ambassadors
Despite the deal, McEnroe remains confused about difference between above- and below-the-line marketing.
LinkedIn Launches New Thought Leader Ads For Companies To Promote Member Posts
Though LinkedIn couldn't get any more insufferable? You thought wrong.
Latrell Mitchell Smacked On Wrist After Dropping Multiple F-Bombs In Post-Match Triple M Interview
Andrew Abdo has confirmed he is not angry... just disappointed.
TV Ratings: “When You Do Love Yourself, You’re Amazing” – Is This MAFS Most Heart-breaking Split?
Hold the press. MAFS groom and bride actually shown to be nice people.
Opinion: The Only Drag Marketers Should Be Worried About
Thought Transactional Drag was a lifeless club night in Newtown? Read this and you'll think again.
AWARD School Welcomes Class Of 2024
It's best to think of AWARD School like Survivor but with pitch decks instead of swimwear.
Interest In Motorsports Reaches New Heights As Formula 1 Grand Prix Revenue Expected To Surpass $100 Million
Need to get a dull sports client some quick results? Rustle up a Netflix series and watch the dollars roll in.
Chair Rob Murray To Depart As SCA Considers ARN’s Latest Takeover Bid
Struggling to make heads or tails of the SCA & ARN saga? Add this to your woes.
Adland Legend John Singleton Separates From Seventh Wife
Singo calls it quits with seventh wife as his race with Rupert Murdoch to become the most-married man continues.
ACCC Eyes Search Competition, Citing ‘Decreasing’ Quality & Rise In Generative AI
The only decline in search quality we notice is when B&T doesn't appear at the top of Google.
“Imagine A Career Above The Clouds”: Royal Australian Air Force Launches New Campaign Via VML
Don't worry about the forthcoming war with China - at least you'll get a bird's-eye view of the apocalypse.
MKTG Launches PR & Talent Division Realigning Business Structure
Dentsu‘s MKTG Sports and Entertainment has unveiled a significant evolution, including the launch of a specialised PR and Talent Marketing division, investment in expanding its Creative Services group, and a centralised approach to brand and rights holder servicing with increased production capabilities and a strengthened in-stadium sports presentation team. Lead Image: MKTG CD Ross Allen; […]