Do you want a foolproof method that will liberate your time from endless meetings so that you can prioritize what really matters in your work and life?

Do you long to achieve genuine work-life balance, transcending the boundaries of conventional corporate routines?

Are you a creative professional longing for the freedom to control your schedule while operating within a corporate framework?

Let's dive into the realm of Asynchronous work and explore how it can equally elevate your personal and professional life.

What is Asynchronous Work?

Asynchronous work refers to the practice of working on a team that does not require all members to be online or collaborate simultaneously. Messages or information are sent and received at different times, eliminating the need for an immediate response.

Asynchronous work is a more globally-minded, inclusive, and connected approach, easing the pressure of being constantly 'on.' Instead of demanding that employees be online during fixed hours, this method allows them to complete tasks and engage with colleagues at their convenience, typically within a reasonable timeframe, such as 24 hours.

When I first became a manager, my main rules for my team regarding work logistics were to:

• Answer every email within 24 hours (even a "we'll get back to you by X" is an answer).
• Answer every IM within 4 hours (since IM is a more "immediate" form of communication)
• Maintain heightened responsiveness during the 9-5 timeframe, when most colleagues are active.

Regarding physical presence at the office, I granted my team full autonomy. They were free to choose their locations and working hours, as long as they adhered to these three rules and delivered high-quality work. I never imposed guilt for them sharing pictures of remote work settings; instead, I found it inspiring and a source of motivation for the team.

Shifting the Mindset

The mindset behind asynchronous work is transformative. Many individuals still cling to the notion that life should revolve around work, leaving little room for personal fulfillment. However, the tide is turning, and people are realizing the value of prioritizing life, family, and mental and physical health, while still maximizing their work potential.

Asynchronous work facilitates this shift by offering flexibility and reducing the need to be constantly 'on.' It empowers individuals to take control of their work schedules, enabling them to prioritize health, life, and family, all while optimizing their freedom.

From a corporate perspective, asynchronous work allows larger, uninterrupted blocks of time for deep work and critical thinking. It embraces the contributions of introverts, working parents, and neurodiverse individuals, while also tapping into a broader talent pool. When teams operate asynchronously, team members can maximize productivity without waiting on others to complete tasks.

Examples of Asynchronous Work:

• Email communication
• Instant messaging platforms like Slack or Google Chat (when immediate responses aren't mandatory)
• Project management systems like Trello or Asana
• Brainstorming sessions (when collaboration can occur over time)
• Cloud-based document-sharing platforms like Google Workspace
• Creating instructional videos or training materials for viewing at one's convenience

Benefits of Asynchronous Work

• Asynchronous work allows people to work at their own pace. Therefore, it leads to reduced stress and improved mental and physical health, leading to lower healthcare costs.
• Ideal for global companies, enabling effective collaboration across different time zones.
• Enhanced flexibility, freeing employees from rigid schedules.
• Access to diverse talent, regardless of location.
• Encourages deep concentration and critical thinking by minimizing interruptions.
• Fosters an inclusive work environment, accommodating introverted and neurodiverse individuals.

--> If you want to find out how to incorporate more asynchronous processes in your life, book a session with me HERE where I will personally help you craft a system that works for you in your life with your outcomes of achieving more freedom and less stress.

What Is Synchronous Work? 

On the other hand, synchronous work is a hallmark of in-person office environments.

Examples of Synchronous Work:

• In-person meetings and those often regular "team meetings"
• Immediate brainstorming
• Phone calls
• Requiring people to be in the office on certain days at certain times
• Instant messaging platforms like Slack or Google Chat (if you’re required to respond immediately; if not, it’s asynchronous)
• Video calls 

If your team uses Google Chat for questions but expects an immediate response unless the person’s status says “in a meeting,” you’re using the tool synchronously. On the other hand, when you send a message with the expectation that your colleague will get back to you at their own pace, you’re using it asynchronously.

Asynchronous work can feel intimidating to people who have always worked in a traditional mandated in-office environment or are used to working the traditional synchronous way. Some worries:

• What if I need an immediate response from a colleague?
• How will we collaborate if we’re not communicating in real time?
• How will we share status updates without a meeting?

In some situations, synchronous communication is still the most effective. Here are some times when synchronous work is better:

1. One-on-one meetings
2. Handling sensitive or challenging conversations
3. Addressing urgent, time-sensitive situations

It's important to note that asynchronous work doesn't imply days without responses; timely responses within a reasonable timeframe, such as four hours, can be maintained in most cases.

7 Strategies for Embracing Asynchronous Work:

You don’t have to go 100% asynchronous to reap the benefits.  Even just incorporating a few asynchronous techniques to eliminate a few meetings will greatly improve people's lives and their engagement in the workplace. It's all about balance.  Tammy Bjellian, CEO of Workspaceless says, “Teams that rely primarily on synchronous communication will experience burnout in addition to information silos, and teams that rely too heavily on asynchronous communication can suffer from isolation and limited social capital.” But if you want to incorporate more of the benefits of asynchronous work in your life, follow these tips.  

1. Prioritize email communication over phone calls, video calls, and in-person meetings for non-urgent matters.
2. Replace meetings with collaboration tools like Slack, Google Docs, and Google Sheets for asynchronous interaction.
3. Use self-made videos to convey information that would typically be shared in meetings.
4. Transform collaboration meetings into asynchronous processes, utilizing digital tools for comments and brainstorming.
5. Establish clear ground rules and consistent due dates to maintain order in asynchronous workflows.
6. Invest in improving employees' communication and organization skills to enhance the effectiveness of asynchronous communication.
7. Seek support from leadership to facilitate the transition to a more asynchronous workplace. Leadership buy-in is essential for adopting technology, endorsing effective practices, and promoting employee well-being.
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Here's the TLDR:

Asynchronous work holds the potential to benefit everyone, even those accustomed to traditional office settings. You don't need to fully embrace it; even integrating some asynchronous techniques can provide more space and freedom in your work life, reducing stress and burnout. By incorporating asynchronous techniques into your professional life, you can unlock more time to live your best life AND maximize your productivity, all while contributing to a more inclusive and adaptable workplace.