Real-time vs Asynchronous Communication

30m · Adventures in Businessing: Entrepreneurship, Small Business, and a Healthy Dose of Humor · 10 Jun 11:00

Show Notes

[0:01:01] Episode Summary & Intro

Machoman, Koolaid Man, or Wolfman Jack?

[0:02:04] Communication Round 2

Brief Recap of the Last Episode
Real Time Communication vs Asynchronous
- We started collocated, in-office and transitioned to remote work.
Benefits of Synchronous Communication
- While is it so alluring to maintain?
- Let’s be honest, real time communication is easier.
- - But is it better?
There’s an Idea That Moving Fast is Superior to Being Methodical & Intentional
- That idea is wrong, and here’s why.
- Fast often equals “move quickly...and break things”.
Communicating Asynchronously is Something You Have to Learn
- A skill like any other.
We Often Confuse Activity with Progress
- The truth is, you can be active but not get anything done.
Asynchronous Communication Tends to be More Thoughtful, More Crafted
- Be reading something, you get to sit down and really process communication.

[0:10:58] Asynchronous Communication as a Tool to Level the Playing Field

How asynchronous communication benefits those who process communication atypically: neuro divergence, or otherwise on the spectrum.
Not a speed typist? Asynchronous communication is a massive boon.
- Here’s why.

[0:13:33] How Can We Set Guardrails & Best Practices for Asynchronous Expectations?

It takes practice.
- Not just writing but reading asynchronously.
It requires mutual respect.
There should be shared understanding on a general timeframe of when you should hear a response.
- But sometimes just commenting that you’re still processing the last response and formulating your answer is key.
Silence is seen as approval, for better and worse.

[0:17:20] There is a Cost to Real TIme

A one hour real time conversation isn’t “just a hour”, it’s four hours of business time taken.
- When you move it asynchronous, it doesn’t take a hour of everyone’s time; it’s more thoughtful, and can allow those involved to come to solutions even quicker with little practice and training.
- Real time is expensive.
We’re not saying you should never have real time conversations.
- We are saying you should make sure they’re worth it.
- - You want to combat the “this meeting could have been an email” notion.

[0:19:01] Should we be All Asynchronous All the Time?

The cost of asynchronous is a breakdown in real human connection.
- Left unchecked, this leads to work becoming soulless and transactional.
- Connection is a fundamental piece.
It’s not one or the other.
- It’s about identifying the proper communication method for a given topic, task, idea, etc.
- It’s not ‘either or’, it’s ‘yes and’.
There is something to be said for asynchronous communication making it too easy not to intentionally document things.
- This is less than great. Be mindful of what needs to be documented.

[0:22:55] Additional Challenges

Real time communication has the potential to steal the party’s best time to get ‘deep work’ done.
- Ask your team members when their preferred times to do deep work is, and schedule meetings around this time, not during it.
- Don’t steal productive time from team members...unless the meeting is innately conducive to (and dependent on) their role specific productivity.

[0:26:59] Be Thoughtful About Your Communication

Consider the following for your meetings and communication in general:
- What is the best way to go about this particular communication?
- - (Synchronous or asynchronous?)
- What's the best time?
- What is the subject matter?

The episode Real-time vs Asynchronous Communication from the podcast Adventures in Businessing: Entrepreneurship, Small Business, and a Healthy Dose of Humor has a duration of 30:19. It was first published 10 Jun 11:00. The cover art and the content belong to their respective owners.

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[0:00:38] Intro | Timely Topics
- Last time on Adventures in Businessing
- Quoting Nacho Libre
[0:02:34] All Relationships Have Tension
- How does one get around inevitable tension?
- Tensions are typically a good sign that you care.
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- You need to be a little thick skinned.
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[0:10:05] If You Want to Navigate Tension Well, You Have to Navigate it Often
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- Be open about misunderstandings.
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[0:22:47] The Decision Matrix & Preemptively Stopping Tensions
- Motivation
- Goals
- Vision
- Values
- Objectives
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- Bringing in a third voice/partner can help.
[0:27:32] Conclusion & Takeaways
- Communicating is key.
- Assume the best.
- Be willing to give and receive constructive critique.

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[0:00:39] Intro | Timely Topics
- Last time on AIB...
[0:04:09] Benefits of Starting a Partnership Before You've Started a Business
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- Look for someone who brings skills to the table you don't have.
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[0:20:36] Trust is Essential
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[0:28:21] Parting Thoughts
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[0:00:58] Intro | Timely Topics
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[0:02:30] How to Choose a Business Event
- The Nitty Gritty: Hotel selection, what to eat?
- Is there a way to predetermine things about the event you wish to attend?
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- “We live in a magical world…because internet”
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[0:09:45] You’ve Picked out Your Event..What Now?
- How to prepare to get the most out of our event.
  - What are the talks or discussions you must hear?
  - Search the hashtag and note the attendees, then energize conversations with those people.
    - Knowing who is going to be there can work in your favor.
  - Look at the schedule.
    - Have a plan.
  - Consider arriving early.
    - ...and leaving a little early?
  - Treat your business events and travel like full-on PTO.
    - Ensure your team knows you won't be available.
    - The event is the work.
  - The "all-in-one" event can prevent headaches and uncertainty.
    - Preventing choice paralysis.
  - Take the time to unpack and process AT the event.
    - Talk to your team or write about it, thus making it less likely to forget the important details you want or need to remember.
    - Compare notes with those who attended the same or similar presentations.
    - If you go alone, that's a great excuse to make a friend...if you're extroverted. 😉
[0:21:45] Prepare to be Presented with More than You can Rationally Absorb
- You'll have to exercise your "keep, process, discard" muscle.
- No one will know or tell if you don't attend EVERY lecture or discussion.
  - You don't have to waste your time if you know something isn't for you, or if you're simply overloaded.
- Two hours of good content can justify an entire trip.
[0:27:05] Closing Comments | Last Round of Advice
- Seat selection is important.
  - If you're unsure about the talk, sit back and/or to the side, to politely excuse yourself.
- Business events are worth the effort, and if you pick a bad one, try again.

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