Rapid Response: Remote teams, w/WordPress/Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg

Knowledge Tools

Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic, emphasizes the importance of effective knowledge sharing tools in remote work environments. He highlights the use of an internal blogging system, ptud, and a learning management system, cinsay, to ensure that knowledge is not lost in inboxes and can be accessed by all team members 1. These tools support a culture of continuous learning and motivation, which is crucial for remote teams to thrive. Mullenweg notes that the true measure of productivity in a distributed team is the actual output, not just participation in meetings 2.

Having knowledge not die in inboxes is huge. So the collective wisdom of the company can really grow with this internal blogging system.

--- Matt Mullenweg

He also stresses the importance of fostering a learning culture where employees are encouraged to always be learning and adapting to new challenges.

   

Reading Culture

Reading plays a pivotal role in fostering continuous learning and development among remote team members at Automattic. Mullenweg shares his practice of recommending books to his team, noting that a good book can significantly accelerate learning and provide insights that might take years to acquire through other means 3. He mentions books like "On Writing Well" by William Zinsler and "Words That Work" by Frank Luntz, which emphasize the power of language in a distributed work environment.

I take it for granted because I'm trying to read all the time. I usually read at least 30 books a year.

--- Matt Mullenweg

Additionally, the internal blogging system and learning management tools at Automattic are designed to complement this culture of learning by providing diverse formats for information sharing 1.