Being a Cohesive Team 🛡️

Expectations of XT
The expectations of XT define what each executive is required to do individually. The CEO originally proposed those expectations, and we have since discussed, challenged, refined, and strengthened them through collaboration.

Cohesive Leadership Team
Cohesion is different. Cohesion defines how we show up for one another as a team. One is about individual leadership; the other is about team leadership. Being a cohesive team is not optional. It is a core expectation of every member of XT.

Our definition of cohesion should not come from an external consultant, a business school textbook, or a single person – but rather from us, XT.

What we strive towards

01. Radical Candour

We tell each other the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. We communicate directly, own our mistakes, and bring issues to the team instead of around the team.

• Be honest and transparent with each other
• Be vulnerable, speak your mind, and don’t bottle things up
• Share losses and challenges, and proactively ask for help when help is needed
• Manage your baggage (address and minimize) and eliminate drama triangles
• Debate hard, but be okay with being wrong

“We choose to be honest, authentic, and unapologetic with one another.”

02. Trust & Care

We genuinely care about each other as people. We trust intentions, believe in one another’s potential, and actively help each other succeed.

• Unshakeable belief in one another
• Support, serve, champion, and edify each other
• Assume the best intentions and extend the benefit of the doubt
• Know and accept each other’s flaws, and amplify each other’s strengths
• Invest in meaningful shared experiences
• Trust in each other and the future

“We choose to trust and care for one another.”

03. Alignment & Loyalty

We are one team before anything else. We debate vigorously behind closed doors and move forward together once decisions are made.

• Present a unified front to the world
• Strengthen belief in our shared future
• Find alignment on goals and vision for the company
• Agree and believe directionally that we are on the same train
• Build healthy interdependence
• Prioritize XT above all other teams

“We choose XT as our #1 team.”

04. Empowerment & Courage

We trust each other to make decisions, take intelligent risks, and solve problems. We don’t wait for permission, but we know when to ask for help.

• Optimize for autonomy and independent decision-making
• Take the appropriate risk based on your best judgment
• Ring the alarm when help is needed
• Be solutions-oriented

“We choose to act with judgment, not permission.”

05. Ownership & Accountability

We hold ourselves and each other to a high standard. We communicate openly, follow through on commitments, and model the behaviours we expect from the company.

• Exemplify our values and principles
• Hold each other accountable
• Keep your commitments to one another
• Keep your Ego in check
• Broadcast your intentions and moves

“We do what we say we’ll do.”

Wisdom

None of us will embody these principles perfectly, all the time. Moments of doubt, confusion, frustration, weakness, and loss will come. There will be disagreements. We will fall short of the ideal, more often than we’d like.

This does not mean we have lost cohesion.

Cohesion is not the absence of conflict, mistakes, or hardship. It is the willingness to recognize them, address them, and work together to make things better. We will continue to move through life’s seasons—both individually and collectively. Our responsibility is not to be perfect. Our responsibility is to stay vigilant, strive towards our ideals, and help one another return to them when we drift.

The effort matters.
No two people will always agree. No team will always be aligned. But when times get difficult, we know our intentions are good, we have each other’s backs, and we will strive towards our ideals – together. Knowing and striving, makes us cohesive.