Async Comm: Your Ticket to Hybrid Work.

Note from Yann:👋 Hey everyone, Yann AïtBachir here! Each week, I share practical tips to help you level up your career in tech.

Ever wondered why companies are so eager to mandate RTO?

They toss around words like collaboration and efficiency, but to keep it real, most leaders just aren't comfortable with remote work.

A big part of that discomfort stems from their struggles with asynchronous communication.

This week, I'm sharing some of what I have learned and how I improved.

💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

♻️ If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it with your network.

You'r working from home, enjoying the flexibility and freedom that hybrid work offers.

But then, bam, you get the dreaded "mandatory return to office" email.

Why? Because your team can't seem to communicate effectively unless you're all in the same room.

Sound familiar?

The truth is, mastering asynchronous communication could be the difference between enjoying the perks of hybrid work and getting pulled back into the office grind.

Async communication is one of those skills that, if you get it right, can make you look like an absolute rockstar. If you get it wrong, well... let's just say I've been there, and it wasn't pretty.

Unlike synchronous communication, with async you don't control when, where, or how your message will be consumed.

This makes it crucial to be as clear and detailed as possible to ensure your message lands effectively, no matter the context in which it's read.

Before COVID, I was terrible at async communication.

My messages were often misunderstood, leading to endless meeting just to clear things up.

I never knew how much (or how little) to write, and it was a mess.

I'm not going to pretend I've mastered it now, but I've definitely picked up a few tricks.

So, if you want to keep thriving in this hybrid world, let's dive into some tips to level up your async game.

0. Measure Your Async Efficiency

How do you know if you're good at async communication?

One way is to track the number of back-and-forths it takes to get something done.

The more messages or calls needed, the less efficient you are.

Async communication is about improving work efficiency.

It’s about enhancing both individual and team productivity.

Just look at your past four weeks, see the interactions, count the number of clarification questions. Count the number of times your requests have not been responded to.

Aim to minimize the back-and-forth by providing clear, concise, and comprehensive information upfront.

1. BLUF: Get to the Point!

BLUF stands for Bottom Line Up Front.

Basically, it means state your main point clearly and right away.

This helps your reader quickly understand what you need.

Think of it as the TL;DR of the professional world.

❌ Bad

"Hey team, I've been looking at the latest data on user engagement, and I noticed some interesting trends.

It seems like our new onboarding flow might not be as effective as we thought.

I'm wondering if we should revisit the design and maybe A/B test a few different versions..."

✅ Good

"Team, we need to revisit the onboarding flow design.

The latest data shows a 20% drop in user engagement compared to the previous month, indicating that the onboarding flow is not as effective as we thought.

Come prepared to brainstorm solutions in our next meeting on October 3rd.

Specifically, bring ideas on how to improve the onboarding flow based on the data insights."

💡Tip: When sending a message to a diverse audience, customization is essential. Consider writing multiple BLUFs for each persona to ensure your message resonates with each part of your audience.

2. Context is King

Don't just throw information out there without any background.

Explain the situation, your perspective, and why you're sharing it.

Remember, everyone comes from different backgrounds and perspectives, so providing context ensures that everyone is on the same page and understands your intent clearly.

It's like setting the stage for a play – your reader needs the context to understand the story.

❌ Bad

 "Hello, Can you update the project timeline?"

✅ Good

"Hi Jane,

following our meeting with the client, NewOld Corp, on September 25th, we need to adjust the project timeline to accommodate their new requests.

Can you please update the timeline with the following changes:

- Adjust the milestones and dates to reflect the new client requirements.

- Update the success metrics to align with NewOld Corp's revised expectations.

- Re-prioritize the tasks to accommodate the new project scope."

3. Be Specific and Clear

Avoid vague language.

Use specific examples, clear instructions, and direct language. Structure your message to make it easy to go through.

The goal is to leave no room for misinterpretation. Your message should be easily understood without needing a follow-up call.

❌ Bad

"Let's meet next week to discuss the onboarding optimization project."

✅ Good

"Please share your availability for a 30-minute meeting next week to discuss the onboarding optimization project.

I'm available on:

- Tuesday, October 1st, between 2pm-5pm SGT

- Wednesday, October 2nd, from 9am-12pm SGT 

At the Singapore office.

Agenda:

  - Review current onboarding metrics.

  - Identify key bottlenecks in the current flow.

  - Discuss proposed solutions and prioritize next steps."

Notice the structure change, the additional information full date, times and timezone.

4. Write More, Not Less

It might seem counterintuitive, but providing more information upfront can save you time in the long run.

Anticipate questions your reader might have and answer them preemptively. This reduces back-and-forths and keeps everyone moving efficiently.

❌ Bad

On a project progress tracker: "Done."

✅ Good

 "Status: Completed the client presentation and uploaded it to the shared drive.

Next Step: Client meeting scheduled for September 29th at 10am.

ASK: Alan to review the presentation beforehand and comment the Content, Flow, Potential issues. Deadline: September 28th, 2pm."

☝️ Notice: When assigning tasks to individuals, ensure you provide clear expectations and deadlines. 

5. Embrace Other Formats

Async communication isn't just about writing.

In synchronous communication, a lot of information is shared non-verbally, and it helps to improve the context.

Sometimes, a quick audio message, a voice-over, or a screen recording can be way more effective.

Tools like Loom can be game-changers for explaining complex topics or providing visual context.

❌ Bad

Sending a long, complicated email explaining a technical issue.

✅ Good

Recording a short Loom video walking through the technical issue and demonstrating the solution.

Mastering async communication is an ongoing journey.

It's all about finding what works best for you and your team.

But trust me, the effort is worth it.

It's a key skill for thriving in the hybrid work era and for keeping those dreaded "Return to Office" mandates at bay!

And You? What are your favorite tactics for acing async communication?

✍️ Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!

Let's help each other thrive in this hybrid work world and keep those dreaded RTO mandates far-away.

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