Moving to Remote Development (and Work) - The a16z Show Recap

Podcast: The a16z Show

Published: 2020-04-15

Duration: 1300

Guests: Jason Warner, David Ulevitch

What Happened

Jason Warner, the CTO of GitHub, emphasizes the shift towards remote work and how it has been accelerated by recent global events. He discusses the potential for more roles to become remote, challenging the traditional bias towards Silicon Valley as the epicenter of innovation. He notes that remote work allows for greater access to talent and can improve business efficiencies.

David Ulevitch, a16z General Partner, and Jason Warner discuss the challenges of remote work, such as the amplification of micromanagement tendencies when managers cannot see employees in person. They stress the importance of clear communication and decision-making structures to ensure accountability and progress in a remote setup. Warner highlights the necessity of asynchronous, memorialized communication to keep track of decisions and maintain institutional memory.

The discussion covers the use of various tools for communication, such as email, video calls, and messaging platforms like Slack. Warner stresses that while Slack is useful for real-time communication, it should not be relied upon for storing important information or decisions. Instead, he advocates for decisions to be documented in systems like GitHub, where they remain accessible and serve as a historical record.

Both Warner and Ulevitch acknowledge the evolution of tools that integrate collaboration directly into their platforms, citing Figma as an example where comments and discussions are kept with the design files. This integration helps maintain context and reduces the need for separate communication channels, but it also means users must manage information across multiple tools.

Warner addresses the importance of regular updates and demos to track progress in a distributed work environment. He finds traditional methods like burndown charts ineffective and prefers video demos and write-ups to highlight team achievements. These practices not only celebrate wins but also help align teams on their goals and progress.

The conversation touches on remote interviewing and hiring practices. Warner emphasizes the need for video calls to assess candidates and suggests having two interviewers to provide a more balanced evaluation. He also highlights the importance of references in understanding a candidate's potential beyond the interview process.

Warner shares personal experiences to illustrate the need for flexibility and understanding in managing teams during crises. He encourages leaders to use such times for reflection on their priorities and to reconsider growth strategies in light of changing circumstances. This reflection can lead to more meaningful and sustainable business practices.

Key Insights