The Flashtag Communication Protocol

"The challenge is people will take [an opinion] and over-index on what was an opinion... Flashtags are an escalating set of the 'dying on the hill' spectrum." — Dharmesh Shah

What It Is

A system of explicit tags used in written communication (email, Slack) that clearly defines the expected weight of the feedback and the required response level.

When To Use

• Whenever a leader provides feedback to a subordinate
• In async communication channels (Slack, email)
• When there's a history of offhand comments becoming mandates
• To preserve team autonomy while still sharing opinions

The Four Flashtags