Our Values & Principles

✨ Our Values & Principles

At Ideas on Board, the values came first. The mission followed.

We didn’t start out with a five-point plan or a pitch deck. We just worked on what mattered, in a way that felt right. Over time, some core principles have guided how we build software, collaborate with clients, and support each other as a team.

These aren’t corporate slogans. They’re the beliefs we return to, again and again.

🧠 Company Attributes of Association

The company develops, promotes, and provides open source and libre software and hardware solutions.

This is the simplest statement of what we’re here to do - and how. It’s not just what we build, it’s how we approach building it: in the open, for the long-term, and with full transparency.

💬 A Quote That Sums It Up

“Never be cruel.

Never be cowardly.

Never eat pears (unless you're hungry).

Hate is always foolish.

Love is always wise.

Always try to be nice.

Never fail to be kind.”

— Doctor Who (quoted by us)

We’ve joked about making this our official values statement. And maybe we’re not really joking. Because for a company rooted in technical depth and open-source complexity, we still believe kindness matters most.

🤝 Our Pledges

To our collaborators

We pledge to create, maintain, and improve a work environment that puts self-development and well-being at its core.

To our customers

• To provide our best service at our best value
• To support them with their needs
• Without fearing to contradict them - always in a kind and respectful way

🧭 How These Values Show Up Day to Day

💡 Do things the right way

We care about quality - not in a perfectionist way, but in a principled way. Whether it’s a kernel patch or a new hire, we ask: is this thoughtful? Is this aligned with what we believe in?

🛠 Build in the open

Open source isn’t just a business model, it’s an ethical stance. We want our software to remain valuable even if we disappear. That’s only possible when it's open, transparent, and community-driven.

⚖️ Choose autonomy over hierarchy

We don’t have managers in the traditional sense. People step into different roles as needed - technical, coaching, admin - and step back when it’s time to refocus. That flexibility is part of what keeps us learning and evolving.

💬 Be honest and kind

We don’t shy away from hard conversations - with clients or each other. But we always try to be constructive. This isn’t a place for passive aggression or ego. Clarity, respect, and directness go a long way.

🌱 Make space for growth

Not everyone wants to manage, and that’s fine. We believe in creating meaningful growth paths that don’t force people into roles they don’t want. Technical depth, mentorship, and initiative are all forms of leadership here.

🕊 Work flexibly, live fully

We’re remote-first and work across time zones. Some of us need uninterrupted time to think deeply. Others thrive on check-ins and shared debugging. We trust each other to manage our time, and make room for life, too.

“If the wind’s good, go windsurfing. Just let us know.”