/
Asynchronous communication

Asynchronous communication

Good evening, Asia! 🌃 Good afternoon, Europe! 🌇 Good morning, America! 🌅

One of the best perks of being a fully remote, globally distributed team? We don’t need to be online at the same time to collaborate brilliantly. Welcome to the world of asynchronous communication: our not-so-secret productivity superpower.

When done right, async communication builds trust, encourages thoughtful responses, and creates space for deep work. So here’s your guide to mastering it like a pro.

 

 

🧠 What Is Asynchronous Communication?

In short: you send a message without expecting an immediate reply.

It’s the opposite of synchronous communication, where responses happen in real time, like during meetings, calls, or live chats.

Synchronous examples:

  • In-person or Virtual meetings

  • Phone calls

  • Real-time brainstorming or check-ins

Asynchronous examples:

  • Slack messages (when not urgent)

  • Confluence updates

  • Emails

  • Loom or video messages

  • Project tools like Trello

 

💬 Why Go Async?

Async isn’t just a workaround for time zones, but actually a better way to work. Here’s why it matters:

  • More focus, less disruption
    Fewer pings = more deep work.

  • Time to think = better responses
    Not everything needs an instant answer. Give people time to reflect and respond thoughtfully.

  • Built-in documentation
    Async communication is easier to record, share, and refer back to later.

  • Inclusive by design
    Everyone can participate regardless of location, schedule, or timezone.

 

💡 When to Use Async vs Sync

Here’s your cheat sheet for picking the right communication style:

Use async when:

  • You don’t need an answer right now

  • You’re working with people in different time zones

  • You want to share context ahead of a meeting

  • You’re explaining something complex and want it documented

  • You’re giving or replying to a detailed update

Use sync when:

  • It’s urgent or time-sensitive

  • You’re giving sensitive or critical feedback

  • You want to brainstorm live

  • You need to align quickly on fast-moving topics

  • You’re building relationships (e.g., 1:1s, team socials)

 

✅ Tips for Better Async Communication

1. Be intentional with Slack

  • Don’t overuse @channel, @here, or direct mentions, especially if it’s not urgent.

  • Use threads to keep topics tidy.

  • Prefer channels over DMs. Private messages slow collaboration and limit visibility.

“Hey, this is a great question others might benefit from too, can we move it to #best_channel_for_this_topic?” is a nice way to redirect a DM.

2. Respect focus time

  • Turn off non-essential notifications.

  • Batch-check Slack and emails at specific times.

  • Don’t expect replies right away and don’t feel guilty for not replying instantly either.

3. Use video for clarity and connection

  • A quick Loom or Slack video message can say more than a wall of text.

  • Great for walkthroughs, design explanations, or sharing feedback with tone and context.

4. Document, don’t just discuss

  • Confluence is your friend. Use it to document processes, meeting notes, or project plans.

  • Think: If someone joins this project tomorrow, would they understand what’s going on?

5. Use email wisely

  • Slack is our go-to for internal comms.

  • Use email for external parties or bigger internal announcements, not for casual back-and-forth.

🙌 Final Thoughts

Async is more than a communication style, it’s a mindset. It empowers you to work smarter, be more inclusive, and create space for deep, meaningful work.

It’s not about responding slowly, it’s about responding well.

And if you’re ever unsure, just ask! We’re all learning to do this better together.