This page is part of The Toolbox by Danny Smith.
Some work is better done together. Programers have long used pair programming to help solve difficult problems together – there’s something quite powerful in sitting on a video call with someone else and working on the same thing together. Modern collaborative tools like Google Docs, Notion, Figma and Miro make this very easy.
If you know you're working on the same or similar thing as someone else at the same time, jump on a call and work together. You might spend 99% of the time in silence but it reduces friction if you need to ask a question or think out loud.
Why is pairing good?
- Remote working can sometimes get lonely. Talking is good for the soul.
- It's good for collaboration and ideas, and solving hard problems.
- It helps us to build strong, genuine relationships.
- It ensures knowledge is shared by at least two people.
- Some folks think better when they talk out loud - pairing is great for them.
- For some tasks, having a partner can help both people stay focussed.
How to pair well…
- Avoid screen sharing whenever you can. Tools like Google Docs, Notion, Figma and Miro make it very easy to see what others are doing without needing to screenshare. If you're coding, use a tool like VSCode live share.
- Be comfortable with silence. This isn't a meeting, it's more like sitting next to one another while you work. 🧑🏻💻👩🏽💻 No need to talk all the time just because we're on a call.
- If you don't like working in silence - play some music and offer your playlist to others!
- Be clear when you ask someone to pair - let them know what you’re aiming to accomplish together, and be clear that this isn’t a meeting.
- If you're working on the same document, either both type together, or take turns in the Driver's Seat.
- If you are uncomfortable having your video on while doing this, keep it off until you need to talk.
