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Being effective is not just about output. It describes how a team works together to deliver results that actually matter.
At Databox, we define effective teams as ones that are clear on expectations, aligned on goals, and confident in how their work connects to the bigger picture.
Sounds good in theory, right?
But how do we actually achieve it?
What Makes a Team Effective at Databox?
For us, being effective comes down to a set of recurring rituals and practices that build trust, clarity, and alignment. Here are a few of the ways we do it:
- eNPS discussions to hear directly from our people
Twice a year, after our employee satisfaction survey, each team holds an open conversation about the results. These aren’t just “feedback sessions”, but opportunities to talk honestly about what’s working (and what’s not), and to commit to changes together. Teams own these commitments and are responsible for tracking them. For example, our last round of discussions resulted in 62 commitments that teams will complete by the end of 2025. Afterwards, we always host a session to share best practices across the company, hopefully inspiring other teams to adopt them too..
- Slack knowledge sharing to ensure transparency across teams
Slack is more than just our chat tool. We use channels to swap insights, share data, celebrate wins, and keep everyone aligned. Sure, there are birthday wishes and deadline reminders, but it’s also where cross-team collaboration happens and where ideas spread fast. Some of our favorite channels include #ideas-and-inspiration, #product-ideas, #engineering-knowledge, etc.
- Daily check-ins that drive accountability without micromanagement
We like to keep momentum going with regular check-ins: sometimes via our Slack bot named Lucy, sometimes with quick stand-ups a few times a week. They’re short, focused, and help us avoid bottlenecks by surfacing blockers early.
- High-Performance Culture (HPC) framework to keep standards high
Our HPC framework is how we make sure performance doesn’t just come from the top down, but from everyone taking ownership. It’s about creating an environment where teams and individuals can thrive by pushing ourselves, supporting each other, and constantly getting better.
- Way Forward (WF) sessions to align on expectations and strengthen trust.
Once a year, teams hit pause on the day-to-day to reset. WF sessions are leader-led workshops where we get clear on expectations, align on goals, and build trust. They give every individual a direct line of sight into how their work connects to team and company success.
As our company grew, our strategies and cross-team collaboration became more complex, and the practices listed above became essential. Without clear expectations and shared context, even smart teams can struggle to execute well.
A practice we have found especially effective is Way Forward Sessions, annual team workshops in which each team shapes and aligns on its own strategy and mission. This gives each team the clarity and context they need to move our shared company mission and vision forward.
Inside a Way Forward Session
A Way Forward (WF) session is designed to align teams around what matters most. Once a year, each team steps out of day-to-day execution for a focused workshop. The goal is simple but powerful: strengthen trust, clarify roles and responsibilities, and identify key stakeholders, activities, and objectives for the year, all through the lens of our High-Performance Culture principles.
Length: At least half a day.
Focus: Align the team’s mission, vision, and strategy with company objectives.
Outcome: Each individual leaves with clarity on expectations, goals, and development priorities.
Here are the main areas that we address:
- Team strategy alignment: ensuring everyone knows the “why” behind the work.
- Role clarity: exercises like “What I expect from you” and “How I can help you” surface assumptions and build trust.
- Defining success: openly sharing challenges and strengths helps the team become stronger and connected.
Due to our hybrid setup, some Way Forward sessions happen in person and others virtually. No matter the format, the impact is always strong. For remote teams, these sessions can carry even more weight. They create space to focus on topics that don’t usually fit into regular team meetings. Instead of diving into ongoing projects, teams step back to talk openly about how they operate, how they support one another, and what improvements they can make to work more efficiently in the future.
What Happens After the Session Ends
So, what’s the real impact of a Way Forward (WF) session? What changes once the sticky notes come off the wall and the whiteboard is wiped clean?
More Aligned Execution
Teams don’t just leave with ideas, but gain clarity and ownership. Everyone knows what’s expected of them, how their work connects to company priorities, and what success looks like in practice.
That kind of alignment shows up in the day-to-day. Decisions are made faster because the “why” is already clear. People feel confident taking action without waiting for extra approvals. And because ownership is distributed, execution feels lighter, not bottlenecked.
Deeper Trust and Team Cohesion
WF sessions also work at a human level. They’re designed to strip away assumptions and surface what could be otherwise left unspoken. By talking openly about expectations ( “What I expect from you” and “How can I help you”), people get a feeling they can rely on each other differently.
That transparency doesn’t just reduce tension; it creates real operational trust. You know who to ask for help, how to offer it, and where you stand with your teammates. Instead of second-guessing, you move forward together.
Clarity on What Matters
One of the most significant benefits is how WF sessions cut through the noise. Teams get clearer on what really matters and what they should stop wasting time on going forward.
That clarity doesn’t end when the session does. The outcomes of these sessions often become the foundation for other rituals the team might have: 1:1s, daily check-ins, and even eNPS team discussions.
Long-Term Benefits We’re Seeing
Teams that make WF sessions part of their rhythm aren’t just a ‘little more aligned’. They gain much more than that, including being:
- Clearity on expectations and goals
- Engaged discussions that actually matter
- Collaboration across functions instead of siloed efforts
- Honest and constructive feedback
- Trust among team members
- Outcome-focused, not just task-focused insights
- Adaptability and readiness for change, instead of being paralyzed by it
The Principles Behind WF Sessions
We introduced Way Forward (WF) sessions gradually, first with our People & Culture team, who found them especially useful for defining their impact and building trust within the team. We later extended them to our entire leadership team, which helped clarify strategic planning and keep leaders aligned on company-wide objectives. Eventually, we rolled out WF sessions across all teams. This phased approach gave us the space to demonstrate their value and refine the format until it became a core part of how we work.
At their heart, WF sessions are built on a few simple but powerful principles:
- Alignment with values: Way Forward sessions tie team strategy directly to our company values and vision.
- Shared language and goals: Everyone leaves speaking the same language about priorities, commitments, and expectations.
- Progress over perfection: The aim isn’t to solve everything in one go, but to keep moving forward faster and with more clarity.
For us, a strategy without alignment is just words. WF sessions make sure those words actually mean something.
They ensure every team is effective, trusted, and aligned, so that when we move, we move together. And that’s how we get closer, every day, to our mission of helping growing businesses use data to improve performance faster.
