Real-time vs Asynchronous Communication

Show Notes

 

• [0:01:01] Episode Summary & Intro 

 

• Machoman, Koolaid Man, or Wolfman Jack?

 

• [0:02:04] Communication Round 2

 

• Brief Recap of the Last Episode
• Real Time Communication vs Asynchronous 
• • We started collocated, in-office and transitioned to remote work.
• Benefits of Synchronous Communication
• • While is it so alluring to maintain?
  • Let’s be honest, real time communication is easier. 
  • • But is it better?
• There’s an Idea That Moving Fast is Superior to Being Methodical & Intentional
• • That idea is wrong, and here’s why.
  • Fast often equals “move quickly...and break things”.
• Communicating Asynchronously is Something You Have to Learn
• • A skill like any other. 
• We Often Confuse Activity with Progress
• • The truth is, you can be active but not get anything done. 
• Asynchronous Communication Tends to be More Thoughtful, More Crafted
• • Be reading something, you get to sit down and really process communication.

 

• [0:10:58] Asynchronous Communication as a Tool to Level the Playing Field  

 

• How asynchronous communication benefits those who process communication atypically: neuro divergence, or otherwise on the spectrum. 
• Not a speed typist? Asynchronous communication is a massive boon. 
• • Here’s why. 

 

• [0:13:33] How Can We Set Guardrails & Best Practices for Asynchronous Expectations?

 

• It takes practice. 
• • Not just writing but reading asynchronously. 
• It requires mutual respect.
• There should be shared understanding on a general timeframe of when you should hear a response. 
• • But sometimes just commenting that you’re still processing the last response and formulating your answer is key.
• Silence is seen as approval, for better and worse. 

 

• [0:17:20] There is a Cost to Real TIme

 

• A one hour real time conversation isn’t “just a hour”, it’s four hours of business time taken.
• • When you move it asynchronous, it doesn’t take a hour of everyone’s time; it’s more thoughtful, and can allow those involved to come to solutions even quicker with little practice and training. 
  • Real time is expensive. 
• We’re not saying you should never have real time conversations.
• • We are saying you should make sure they’re worth it. 
  • • You want to combat the “this meeting could have been an email” notion.

 

• [0:19:01] Should we be All Asynchronous All the Time?

 

• The cost of asynchronous is a breakdown in real human connection. 
• • Left unchecked, this leads to work becoming soulless and transactional.
  • Connection is a fundamental piece.
• It’s not one or the other. 
• • It’s about identifying the proper communication method for a given topic, task, idea, etc. 
  • It’s not ‘either or’, it’s ‘yes and’.
• There is something to be said for asynchronous communication making it too easy not to intentionally document things. 
• • This is less than great. Be mindful of what needs to be documented. 

 

• [0:22:55] Additional Challenges

 

• Real time communication has the potential to steal the party’s best time to get ‘deep work’ done. 
• • Ask your team members when their preferred times to do deep work is, and schedule meetings around this time, not during it. 
  • Don’t steal productive time from team members...unless the meeting is innately conducive to (and dependent on) their role specific productivity.

 

• [0:26:59] Be Thoughtful About Your Communication

 

• Consider the following for your meetings and communication in general:
• • What is the best way to go about this particular communication?
  • • (Synchronous or asynchronous?)
  • What's the best time?
  • What is the subject matter?
  • What do we need to get out of it?
  • Who needs to be here and why?
• Communication is the hardest thing to do correctly and effectively in your business. 
• • But it’s also the most important thing to figure out today. 
• Next Time on AIB
• • How to Do it All Better!