Do The Right Thing

What does it mean to “do the right thing?” 

This is a thought-provoking question that touches on complex topics like morals, ethics, integrity… The list goes on and on. I’m not here to be a moral advocate or an ethics professor, but I do want to share what it means to “do the right thing” in Mavericks as part of the Mission Control Team (MCT).

At its very core, Mavericks is a company that cares about its people. This is visible in our open culture which creates a safe place where anyone can contribute and everyone feels valued. An example would be our backlog grooming sessions when everyone in the MCT gathers to discuss and plan for the tasks to take on in the upcoming sprint. Everyone is encouraged to actively participate and share their opinions, and come to an agreement as a team on what to prioritise and the story points for the various tasks. A culture like this is only possible because we respect one another, and sometimes, doing the right thing is just that simple!

But it goes beyond that. In Mavericks, doing the right things also means committing to improving together as a team. In a world where change is the new norm, we cannot afford to remain stagnant lest we fall behind. 

Feedback is one of the simplest, yet most powerful ways to not only identify and address our weaknesses, but also to understand our strengths so that we can build on them. This is why, while it is important to be open to feedback, Mavericks also strongly encourages us to give feedback so that the people around us can grow too. It is not an easy thing to do (I know I still struggle with it), but there are instances where we have to call it out when something is off. It is not to attach blame to someone, but to ensure that we do not compromise on quality and team standards. As the saying goes, “give someone an inch and they’ll take a mile.” What starts as a small concession may snowball into larger issues that may negatively affect the individual and team. So yes, speak up and share feedback, even when it may be difficult. It is how Mavericks grow as a team and it is the right thing to do!

As you can see, to “do the right thing” isn’t all that straight-forward as it seems. It is as simple as it is challenging, and as natural as it is uncomfortable. However, in a team like Mavericks, it shapes us to be better individuals who act with respect for others and are not afraid to be champions for change.