In the wake of the widespread adoption of hybrid work models, numerous companies have chosen to maintain their remote work arrangements, recognizing the substantial boost in productivity and job satisfaction. While the shift towards optimizing office spaces continues, a broader perspective is emerging: the need for new communication models in contemporary work environments.

At the Running Remote 2022 Conference held in Montreal, Canada, industry experts, including Drew Calin, Dethra Giles, Matthew McKinney, and Zoë Hart, engaged in a compelling discussion on the pivotal role of asynchronous communication in hybrid settings.

Hart emphasized that embracing a distributed work model does not negate the importance of collaboration. Instead, it calls for collaboration when it's most beneficial and impactful for the team. This productive collaboration in remote or hybrid setups hinges on the effective use of asynchronous communication.

Although "asynchronous communication" may sound more abstract than "remote work," it is gaining prominence among enterprises, steering its way to the forefront of contemporary work dynamics.

The Decline of "Let's Hop on a Call"

A recent study by Harvard Business School scrutinized meeting invitations from over 21,500 global organizations. Despite meetings becoming, on average, 12 minutes shorter than pre-pandemic times, there was a 13% increase in attendance. This paradoxical trend highlights the challenge of the hybrid workplace, where informal discussions have been replaced by extended virtual meetings.

The mantra of "Let's hop on a call" is proving to be the least scalable approach today. With an overflow of meetings, workdays become fragmented, especially for managers with back-to-back meetings. Drew Calin, during the conference, stressed the importance of recognizing cultural nuances, emphasizing the diverse communication styles inherent in a globally distributed workforce.

Importance of Documentation

To counteract the meeting overflow, some companies are implementing "no-meeting days." However, the effectiveness of such measures is debatable, as potential consequences like confusion and increased emails may lead to additional work.

Documentation emerges as a key player in navigating this challenge. Companies like Trello and GitLab showcase how asynchronous communication, coupled with extensive documentation, can foster transparency and efficiency. Trello's system of boards, cards, and lists enables transparent asynchronous communication, as seen in their prolific content output. GitLab, with its dispersed team across 65 countries, places a strong emphasis on "tilting toward asynchronous communication" to facilitate a nonlinear workday.

Calin underscores the importance of a centralized documentation hub for enhanced visibility and streamlined onboarding. The combination of comprehensive documentation with instant messaging exemplifies the seamless integration of asynchronous communication.

Enabling a Vibrant Workplace

Running Remote 2022 underscored the significance of tapping into a global and distributed talent pool to address contemporary challenges. Asynchronous communication emerged as a crucial aspect of this discussion, with its potential to contribute to a vibrant workplace culture.

Calin highlighted that a vibrant culture is rooted in a sense of belonging, ensuring equitable access to information. Asynchronous communication becomes an enabler for such a culture, particularly in decentralized teams spanning multiple time zones.

The transition to asynchronous communication doesn't signal the end of real-time conversations but rather a shift towards a new paradigm. Organizations are encouraged to reassess their communication strategies, considering alternatives to synchronous communication and envisioning a future where asynchronous communication prevails.

The present moment beckons organizations to formulate plans for enhancing asynchronous communication—a pivotal step toward navigating the complexities of the modern work era.