Slack User Guide - Onboarding

Overview

This guide introduces new team members to Slack, our primary form of communication. It covers how to open Slack, set up your profile, understand the layout, and use key features such as channels, messaging, scheduling, and huddles.

Who This Is For: All new team members.

Before You Begin

Slack should already be installed on the PC provided to you. You will automatically be added to several company channels when you join the team, and additional channels will be added once you are back in the office.

• Slack is our primary form of communication, so it should be kept open at all times.
• Some channels are read-only, meaning you can view important information but cannot post.
• If you can't find Slack, check your taskbar for the four-square icon, search for it from the Start menu, or look for a desktop shortcut.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open Slack

Locate Slack in your taskbar (look for the four-square icon), search for it from the Start menu, or open it from a desktop shortcut.

If you are already signed in, you should see the channels you were automatically added to as a new team member.

Step 2: Learn the Layout

• The action buttons on the far-left side of the screen take you to different areas of Slack when clicked.
• The column next to the action buttons lists your channels and direct messages (DMs).
• This list will grow as you join more channels over time.
• Two important channels to check regularly are All Company and Employee Celebrations, where you'll find company updates and news about your teammates.

Step 3: Set Up Your Profile

Your profile is located in the bottom-left corner of Slack. Click on it, then select Edit Profile to update the following:

• Full Name and Display Name - use your first and last name; add a nickname if you go by one.
• Title - enter your job title (spell out abbreviations, such as PRS for Personal Results Specialist).
• Time Zone - adjust this to match your location.

• Status - update this if you're in training, in a meeting, or otherwise unavailable.

  

Click Save once you're finished.

Step 4: Add Your Contact Information

• Email - use your RRI email address (@tonyrobbins.com).
• Phone Number - use your RRI phone number only. Do not enter your personal cell phone number.

Step 5: Set Your Preferences

From your profile menu, select Preferences. Take time to review the available options, including:

• Notifications - turn off any that feel too noisy, and keep on any you find helpful.

  

• Audio and Video - select your preferred devices and set up a background if you'd like one.

  

Step 6: Use Channels and Messaging

Type your message in the message bar at the bottom of any channel or DM. While composing a message, you can also:

• Add emojis or format your text.
• Attach a picture, file, or code snippet.
• Record and send an audio or video clip.

Some channels also include tabs across the top for additional resources, such as shared Files, Pinned Messages, or a Team Canvas with links, forms, and other information specific to that team.

Step 7: Use Message Features

Hover over any message to reveal a menu of additional actions:

• React - add an emoji reaction.

  

• Reply - respond in a thread using the speech bubble icon.

  

• Forward - send the message to another teammate.

  

• Mark as Unread / Remind Me - flag a message to revisit later, or ask Slack to remind you after a set amount of time.

  

• Pin to Channel - save a message for easy reference later. Pinning to a channel makes it visible to everyone in that channel, not just you.

  

Step 8: Schedule a Message

If you want to send a message later instead of right away, click the dropdown arrow next to the send button and choose a custom date and time. Scheduled messages send based on your own time zone.

You can review your scheduled messages, along with any unfinished drafts, under Drafts & Sent in the left-hand menu.

Step 9: Use Huddles

Initiating a huddle from a DM:

Answering a huddle:

Or if the huddle request pops up:

A huddle is a quick call you can start with a teammate. Open a direct message with the person you want to talk to, then click the headphones icon at the top of the chat or in the left-hand menu to start the huddle. Huddles also let you share your screen, which is useful for collaborating on projects or troubleshooting together.

Click leave when you are finished with the huddle:

Best Practices

• Keep Slack open at all times, since it's our primary form of communication.
• Use your real first and last name on your profile, and include a nickname if you go by one.
• Never enter your personal cell phone number in your contact information.
• Double-check which channel or DM you're in before starting a huddle, so you don't accidentally call the wrong group.
• Think carefully before pinning a message to a channel, since it becomes visible to everyone in that channel.
• When joining a new channel, scroll back through recent messages to get familiar with what your team has been discussing.
• After finishing up on a huddle, always remember to click leave to exit the conversation.