Which Type of Slack User Are You?

Email, WhatsApp, Slack, Facebook Messenger, LinkedIn

We have so many options when it comes to communicating with our colleagues. For this post I want to focus on the ubiquitous Slack. 

There are so many things one could write about Slack - the communication that takes place, its impact on productivity, how to make the most of out it, etc

For this post, I want to focus on the different Slack personalities. There are so many, this will probably spawn a series of posts. 

Channel Disregarder

It’s very important to respect the channel description and the content that should go in it, but this slack user couldn’t care less about this. They just post whatever they like in whichever channel they want to.

Cross Posting

The Cross Poster isn’t going to die wondering which channel is the correct one to post in so posts in all of them. We do not need to see the same message seven times. Once was more than enough!

Cross the Channel

Sometimes it can be hard to know what the correct channel to post in is when this person keeps creating new channels. We don’t need a Tuesday afternoon channel nor do we need a channel to discuss what channels there should be.

Private and Confidential

Then there is the person who likes to create private channel after private channel. Channel for left handed people? How about one for those who have an I in their name. Private channels are useful, but no need to go over the top with them.

Breaking News

It’s 2020 - we all have the internet, but yet this person feels the need to go all Tom Brokaw and let everyone else know what is happening around the world, in the office, and the like. 

Who Are You?

After a while you recognise someone by their avatar so it’s confusing when a user changes theirs all the time. It can be even trickier if they use a photo of a colleague. Change is good but too much is over the top

Slow Your Roll

Then there’s this person who replies to things 2-3 weeks after they were posted. It was so long ago, no one even remembers the question that was asked. Even fewer now care about your response.

That Guy

Who’s going to take things too far and be inappropriate, creepy and awkward if not that guy? You can always rely on that guy for this. You never want to be that guy.

Get to the Point/Small Talker

These are two sides of the same coin. Get to the Point has no time for chit chat and will cut straight to the chase.

It may come across as a bit curt or even rude but it is welcome relief when compared to the small talker who has chatted with you for 15 minutes and you still don’t know what they want!? Get to the point!

This shows the value in moderation

The Historian

“Remember when someone posted about something?”

“Oh yes, here it is.”

The historian remembers everything which can come in very useful if you’re struggling with the Slack search function to find something

Tl;dr

Whether it’s weighing in on the office’s microwave policy or what the company should do on its next team bonding day, this person writes an essay. No one has got the time or the patience to wade through 800 words especially when an emoji or gif would suffice. 

Recognize anyone you know here? Which one are you? 

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