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Values

About our values​

We believe there are table stakes values. These are things like respect, being a good human, collaborating with teammates. We think these are wildly important and ever present as a part of this team. However, when thinking through our values, we felt it was important to be clear on the values and guiding principles that are unique to our team. Not assumed or valuable for every team or situation, but non-negotiable for ours (Until we learn otherwise!).

How we use our values​

By articulating our values, we are able to have a shared understanding of the behaviors and expectations of the XMTP Labs team as well as what it is we think is critical for success. These value statements help us keep ourselves and one another honest, they serve as guideposts to help us navigate day to day decisions and harder problems, and they also serve as insight for those interested in joining our team.

Our values are not written in stone and they don’t supersede the evolution of our team (see: what doesn’t bend, breaks). They must be discussed and revisited to remain relevant. Values are held internally, but they are expressed through behavior and actions. We are all accountable to these values in how we show up as a team member each day, how we interact and how we treat one another.

What doesn't bend, breaks​

  • We are building for the long term but acting with great urgency and focus in the short-term.
  • We believe in evolution, flexibility, and change as the only constant.
  • We have no sacred cows and are not afraid to change our minds if we find a better way.

Action over perfection​

  • We think it is exciting that we don’t have all of the answers.
  • We don’t let the unknown slow us down.
  • We don’t take ourselves too seriously.
  • We celebrate what we don’t know more than what we do know.
  • It is through action that we learn.
  • We are not afraid to try new things.
  • We support each other on this journey and offer ideas and help, never judgment.
  • Try, Fail, Learn, Repeat.

Hard problems, solved simply​

  • What we create is the product of learning, not labor.
  • We aim to achieve a state of play that drives innovation.
  • We always aim to find a simpler way.
  • We show, don’t tell.

Radical responsibility with a purpose​

  • We have a deep pride of ownership in our mission and do not take lightly the importance for our community.
  • We are committed to progress in service of our goals, not our egos
  • We win as a team.
  • We trust, but verify.
  • We value impact over output.

We do it in the open​

  • We believe open source drives innovation, leadership and collaboration.
  • We are transparent and open as we develop new ideas.
  • We work and build in the open.
  • We give and receive feedback in the open.
  • We make mistakes in the open.
  • We support and accept each other in the open.

Being human is our superpower​

  • We prioritize creating psychological safety so that all team members are able to grow and take risks.
  • We value trust, transparency and open communication.
  • We believe in being vulnerable over all else.
  • We ask each other how our weekend was.
  • We know life does not stop when work starts and vice versa.
  • We think our diverse backgrounds and unique humanness is what will set us apart.
  • Oh yeah, and we have a hell of a lot of fun on this ride.