[Trasmatta]

Something that I've found really valuable about private chats is the ability to build rapport and trust with immediate team members in a way that just isn't quite the same in a public channel. You need both. I don't like the idea of setting policies of "almost all communication should be done in public channels". Humans need both types of communication, and I think it's a mistake to try to enforce your team to always prefer one over the other.

[mattm]

This is the answer. There is no better period. There is better depending on the context. Can you imagine having all your conversations with your spouse in front of all your co workers?

Their company size is only 25 people. I doubt they will be giving the same advice if their company grows to 200+ people.

[Trasmatta]

Exactly. The advice doesn't quite scale. I find the better approach is: if this feels like a question that the wider team would benefit from seeing and contributing to, post it in a public channel. If not, then message it privately. Use your own discretion.

At some point you should trust your team to be adults, and to make the best choice for the situation.

[inanutshellus]

The private chats should be for non-work conversations. DMs are for private/personal/rapport-building conversations. There's no reason you can't have both going at the exact same time.

[Trasmatta]

Except sometimes private chats are the best place for work conversations.

[inanutshellus]

I already accounted fort that: I said should not must.