Have Fun

The staff team is the backbone of a community. It is critical that the staff team functions well for the community to function well. Here are some guiding principles to keep in mind as a staff member for a healthy staff team.

Be fun, not perfect

If you have a project that you think would be very successful, but you don't want to do it, then don't do it! Dragging through a project you don't want to work on isn't fun, and why are you here if you're not enjoying it? If you have a cool idea, do it! Unless it's something you think needs additional consideration, you don't have to ask anyone for permission. Use good judgement and don't be stupid, but also don't be afraid to just make something cool. It doesn't have to be completely thought out. It doesn't have to be consistent. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, because they can be fixed.

If someone has a fun idea that is maybe not entirely thought out, rather than "wait, but" try to do "yes, and" because we should value our fun and togetherness over perfection. There needs to be a balance so that people don't feel like their ideas that they are putting forward to have fun are being crushed by a frontload of working out every potential issue.

Make friends, not colleagues

We work best together when we are friends. If you are at odds with someone else on the staff team, reach out to them with your concerns so that your connection is healthy. Find something fun that you and another staff member share enjoyment in. Participate in staff get-togethers and events. The more friendly we are with each other, the more open everyone will be to everyone else, and we can support each other in our ideas and projects. You don't need to be best friends with every staff member, but establish a circle of friends within the team that you can go to for support and encouragement.

Here's a great video on listening: