10 Tips for Better Async Communication
By Sofia Andersson · November 20, 2024
The secret weapon of high-performing hybrid teams isn’t more meetings—it’s better asynchronous communication. Here are 10 practical tips to master async and reclaim your calendar.
1. Write Like Your Reader Has No Context
Assume the person reading your message wasn’t in the room, doesn’t know the backstory, and is reading this between other tasks. Include all relevant context upfront.
2. Lead With the Ask
Put your request or key point in the first sentence. Don’t make people scroll through paragraphs to understand what you need.
3. Specify the Urgency
Always include when you need a response. “By end of day” and “whenever you have time” set very different expectations.
4. Use Formatting to Aid Scanning
Break up long messages with headers, bullet points, and bold text. Most people scan before they read—make it easy for them.
5. Use Video for Complex Topics
When a topic is nuanced or might be misunderstood in text, record a quick Loom video instead. It’s faster than writing and clearer than text.
6. Choose the Right Channel
Slack for quick questions, email for formal decisions, documents for proposals, and project tools for task discussions.
7. Document Decisions
When a decision is made—whether in chat, video, or in person—write it down somewhere permanent.
8. Batch Your Responses
Check messages at set times and respond in batches. This protects your focus time and reduces context-switching.
9. Acknowledge Receipt
If you can’t respond fully right away, send a quick acknowledgment: “Got it, will review and respond by tomorrow.”
10. Know When to Go Sync
If a thread goes back and forth more than 3–4 times, or if the topic is sensitive, switch to a call. Sometimes 5 minutes on video saves 50 messages.