Why it matters
One thing I’ve grappled with during much of my career is reminding colleagues that executive messaging is not the only type of communication in the enterprise with business value. And that the broadcast email is not the only channel that matters.
Many think the most important messaging is sent by a leader, consumed immediately, and then things happen as a consequence. That is pretty much a myth. Nonetheless, the leadership suite can be addicted to conducting business at a high speed, and their communication reflects that.
But in the real life of a company the most valuable information often has a lifecycle of months.
It is important that messages are received and accurately understood. Otherwise you are sending messages into the aether, with no impact.
That exchange often happens with a significant delay.
Many companies are matrixed, and projectized. Which means lateral communication, often associated with a project or program, is crucial. It is how the work gets done. It is how the money is made.
Depending on the project or program, many people will need to know specific pieces of information. But they won’t all need to know it at the same time. Which means the information has to be waiting for them in some form, in some place. And they need to know it is there for them when they need it.
This is asynchronous communication.
Synchronous communication is like a phone call, or a text chat, where the information exchange is in real time and responses are immediate.
Asynchronous communication is when a message is sent or published, but it won’t be received until later, and responded to (or acted upon) even later than that.
Synchronous communication works by interrupting your day and requiring your full attention, usually at the discretion of the sender. Asynchronous communication allows the receiver to choose the time to consume and respond.
Synchronous communication can be, almost by definition, a distraction from your real work. Asynchronous communication, on the other hand, is integrated into your work flow.
Asynchronous communication is also the key to effective collaboration across virtual teams, across geographies and time zones. It prioritizes productivity and efficiency over being connected. It also is much better for your mental health and general well-being than attempting to stay connected all the time, and attending every meeting.