>The most effective solution in my experience has been when working remote, and having a culture where a team has open discussions on their own Slack channel, with threads for particular conversations.
IME a lot of the really useful "in earshot range" conversations are those that were intended privately but were overheard by someone that has an idea.
Engineer A might go to engineer B to ask B on how to do X. B is being asked because they are usually knowledgeable about similar topics. In this case they don't know.
In slack A would message B directly. B answers that they don't know.
In the office C might overhear it and have an idea and chime in.
I think this unintentional broadcasting can be really helpful to productivity and spreading ideas. It just doesn't work so well in a messaging app.
IME a lot of the really useful "in earshot range" conversations are those that were intended privately but were overheard by someone that has an idea.
Engineer A might go to engineer B to ask B on how to do X. B is being asked because they are usually knowledgeable about similar topics. In this case they don't know.
In slack A would message B directly. B answers that they don't know.
In the office C might overhear it and have an idea and chime in.
I think this unintentional broadcasting can be really helpful to productivity and spreading ideas. It just doesn't work so well in a messaging app.