Values

In order to provide small businesses with scaffolding for real-talk, we need our own robust internal scaffolding system to keep us operating with integrity. Here are the guiding principles we live and work by.

Our values

Create radical containers

We make Human Resources that are actually people-shaped. We design radical new structures for work and communication. Our scaffolding for real-talk provides a fresh take on tired practices. Our containers are durable and consistent, yet responsive to the needs of the people in the room and the world around us. Our services are accessible, inclusive and rooted in our collective humanity.

Build capacity not dependence

We unearth your innate expertise by working with you, not for you. We don’t offer quick fixes or single-use solutions. Instead, we explore, reflect and synthesize before giving advice. We are wary of the cost of convenience. We consider the sustainability of our services, our products and how our business operates. We don’t do dirty work or keep secrets. We nurture long-term networks of collective capacity, instead of one-off transactions or one-way interactions.

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Say things out loud

We are explicit about expectations. If there’s weirdness, we name it. We bring issues out into the open so we can grapple with them together, rather than allowing them to fester wordlessly between us. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. We strive to have the courage to call attention to what’s not working, and to engage accordingly. We use our platform to make a difference in the world, speaking up about injustice and directing resources toward people in need.

See problems as prisms

Questions are the answer. We always start with inquiry toward ourselves and others. We listen deeply to people in order to widen perspective and look at problems in a new light. There’s always something to learn. If it’s not working, we don’t force it. Friction is an invitation to make a shift, take a break, zoom out. Mistakes are inevitable, but how you react is variable.

Put yourself out there

We express ourselves creatively and put our own spin on the work that we do (from writing an email to facilitating a workshop). This work is personal and we show up for it with integrity. We take thoughtful risks and try new things, modeling authentic vulnerability and learning out in the open. We have fun with it, seeking joy in the process as well as the end-product.

Question business as usual

We believe things can always be different, and are curious about how that might look. We push toward paradigm shifts away from the status quo, even when it’s uncomfortable. We are wary of urgency and take our time. When business feels like busy-ness, we take a step back. We don’t do something simply because everyone else is, or because it’s always been done that way. What got us here won’t get us there. 

Make rituals of reflection

We check-in regularly. We pause and listen to our bodies, prompting the people around us to do the same. We examine past experiences so that we can learn lessons for the future. Giving and asking for feedback is routine. We constantly seek out and integrate new input from the world around us. We acknowledge our hard work and the hard work of others, doing our best to make people feel seen. We remember to celebrate and express gratitude.