Asynchronous communication is any communication “not happening or done at the same time or speed.” For me, it’s a way to alleviate the pressure to give answers to colleagues and customers in two to three minutes. I can give meaningful, thoughtful feedback, in my own time.
Think email before the era of read receipts. You would send an email with the understanding that a reply would be sent at the best time for the recipient.
Over time, asynchronous communication, like email evolved. Email evolved into chat, and now apps like Slack are the primary forms of work communication. The expectation of waiting for a response has diminished over time. This is what’s overwhelming people, including myself, in the workplace today.
In contrast, synchronous communication happens at the same time. During a real-time conversation or video call, you will get an immediate response to your questions or comments because communication is happening in sync. All attendees have set aside the same block of time to meet up and hold a conversation.
Async is different because it is all about communication on your own terms, in your own time, from wherever you need to be.
- Async means both parties don’t need to be talking at the same time
- Async means you can consume the communication whenever you want
- Async means you can respond in your own time
- Async is available for future reference
- Async gives you time to translate, transcribe or study materials
- Async gives you back your calendar
- Async gives you the ability to present better thought out, defined, and edited responses
What are some examples of asynchronous communication?
Async communication may sound like an unfamiliar new term, but more than likely, you communicate this way every day.
Say your co-worker is out sick, but you want her to know about a minor, harmless website bug or typo you found earlier that day. You might send her an email with a screen recording that outlines the error so that she will know about it when she’s back to work. You don’t expect an immediate response from her.
Other types of asynchronous communication include:
- A sticky note on the fridge
- Emails
- Instant messenger apps like Slack or Teams
- Instructions (like an internal wiki)
- A video or screen recording
- Project management tools
- Virtual whiteboard
Some communication methods can blur the line between synchronous and asynchronous communication. If you and your co-worker are online at the same time and having a quick back-and-forth conversation over an instant messenger app, connecting is much more immediate and in sync.
How does asynchronous communication work?
Asynchronous communication is typically done by sharing messages via email or internal/external forums. The advantages of asynchronous communication are that it’s easy to add people to the discussion, and you don’t need specific people online to respond.
In the workplace, asynchronous communication is typically used to send information that doesn’t need a quick response—or might not require a reply.
For example, you might set up an internal wiki with instructions or explain project tasks in a video recording. Workers can then peruse these instructions on their own time and complete their tasks independently.
Other examples include sending out an email reminder about your upcoming vacation dates or updating the team on a new whitepaper added to the content library. You hope to connect with those on the list, but there’s no real pressure for a response.
We are proclaiming a new movement in the workplace, and that movement is Async. Async isn’t just about communicating; it’s about human connectivity, improving comprehension and understanding between people; and improving the experience of colleagues and customers.
Tips for asynchronous communication while working remote.
Here are some tips for effective asynchronous communication in remote work settings:
- Clear and Concise Messages: Write clear, concise, and to-the-point messages. Use bullet points or numbered lists for clarity.
- Use the Right Tools: Choose the right tools for asynchronous communication, such as email, Slack, or project management tools like Asana or Trello.
- Set Expectations: Clearly communicate response times and availability. Let team members know when they can expect a response from you.
- Document Decisions: Document decisions and important information in a central location where team members can easily access it.
- Avoid Overcommunication: While it’s important to communicate effectively, avoid overloading team members with unnecessary information.
- Respect Time Zones: Be mindful of different time zones when scheduling meetings or sending messages. Use tools that allow for scheduling messages at a convenient time for the recipient.
- Encourage Feedback: Encourage team members to provide feedback on how communication can be improved.
- Regular Updates: Provide regular updates on your progress and any blockers you may be facing. This helps keep everyone on the same page.
- Use Threaded Conversations: When using tools like Slack or email, use threaded conversations to keep discussions organized and easy to follow.
- Be Responsive: While asynchronous communication allows for flexibility, try to be responsive to messages and requests in a timely manner.
How to use Zight for asynchronous communication
Zight is a tool designed to facilitate asynchronous communication in a remote work environment. Here’s how you can use Zight effectively:
- Create a Zight Account: Start by creating an account on Zight. You can sign up using your email address or Google account.
- Set Up Your Profile: After creating your account, set up your profile with your name, profile picture, and any other relevant information.
- Create Channels: Channels in Zight are used to organize discussions around specific topics or projects. Create channels for different teams, projects, or topics of interest.
- Start Conversations: Once you’ve created channels, start conversations by posting messages. You can use text, images, videos, and files to communicate.
- Use Threads: To keep discussions organized, use threads for replies to messages. This helps to maintain context and makes it easier for team members to follow the conversation.
- Set Notifications: Customize your notification settings to stay informed about new messages and replies in channels that are important to you.
- Share Updates: Use Zight to share updates on your work, ask questions, and collaborate with team members.
- Document Decisions: Use Zight to document important decisions and information that may be useful for reference in the future.
- Respect Time Zones: If your team is spread across different time zones, be mindful of this when posting messages. Use the scheduling feature to send messages at a time that is convenient for everyone.
- Encourage Participation: Encourage team members to actively participate in discussions and share their thoughts and ideas.
By following these tips, you can use Zight effectively for asynchronous communication in your remote work environment.
Do you have specific challenges with async communication, or are there particular areas you’re looking to improve?
