Over the past few years, we’ve seen a remarkable shift when it comes to culture building. You’ve probably talked about it on your own teams whether you realize it or not, but asynchronous culture building is becoming a staple for most organizations! So, what exactly does it mean?
Asynchronous culture building means creating a workplace culture that embraces flexibility, autonomy, and asynchronous communication. The days of always working together at the same time are gone, and modern companies who embrace asynchronous culture building will flourish while the rest flounder.
Keep reading to learn about the importance of asynchronous culture building, understand its benefits, review successful implementation, and address potential challenges.
To grasp the concept of asynchronous culture building, let’s start with asynchronous communication. Asynchronous communication means exchanging messages without requiring the recipients to respond at the same time. Traditionally, that’s been emails, but nowadays that includes recorded videos, project management tools, and even chat apps like Slack. It empowers individuals to work at their own pace.
The advantages of asynchronous communication in the workplace include reduced stress, a greater focus on tasks, and increased efficiency.
On the other hand, synchronous communication requires immediate attention and simultaneous participation. Think meetings, phone calls, and Zoom chats. There’s a time and a place for synchronous communication, but it shouldn’t be the default. In plenty of cases, it might not even be possible!
Put simply, asynchronous communication allows for a more relaxed pace, giving team members time to respond and work according to their schedules.
Creating an asynchronous culture in the workplace involves several steps. Here are five key areas to focus on:
Implementing an asynchronous culture offers numerous benefits. As the Director of People Operations at vFair, here's one of my viewpoints on culture:
Company culture is constantly changing and evolving, and that's a good thing! The techniques of building culture should be fluid and autonomous; just as unique as the individuals that shape it.
I'm not alone. Olya Yakzhina, Head of People at Switchee, mentioned that “asynchronous cultures allow us to practice flexible working and a Work From Anywhere benefits as people travel across time zones or simply getting their childcare hours covered while they know absolutely everyone in the business has their back and is totally behind the choices they make to enable their work life balance.”
Below, we dive into five key advantages of asynchronous cultures:
A. Increased productivity: Asynchronous culture allows employees to work when they are most focused and engaged, leading teams to feel more productive. This feeling stems from prioritizing work, avoiding distractions, and allocating energy toward high-impact tasks during peak performance hours. By capitalizing on each individual's productivity patterns, organizations can harness the collective potential of their workforce and achieve better results overall.
B. Better work-life balance: Asynchronous work culture enables employees to manage their own time, thereby achieving a healthier work-life balance. This flexibility allows individuals to address personal and professional responsibilities on their terms, such as attending to family needs, pursuing personal interests, or engaging in self-care routines. As a result, organizations can reduce stress and burnout by giving employees the autonomy to structure their work around their lives, leading to a more resilient and motivated workforce.
Flexibility is the name of the game - having a remote culture built on an asynchronous approach enables companies to find and empower the best talent no matter what time zone they’re in. Building best in class culture is about trust and empowerment, which can be found most clearly in asynchronous approaches to work. - Traci Chernoff, Sr. Director of Employee Engagement at Legion Technologies
C. Improved employee satisfaction: The asynchronous work culture experience can lead to higher employee satisfaction, as employees have greater autonomy, flexibility, and control over their schedules. These changes translate into a sense of empowerment, fostering a positive work environment. When employees feel trusted to manage their time effectively and balance their responsibilities, they are more likely to feel valued and appreciated.
D. Enhanced collaboration and teamwork: Asynchronous communication allows for more collaboration and teamwork by adopting and using more collaboration tools. Research shows it’s not where, but how well we collaborate that creates special teams.
E. Inclusivity: An asynchronous culture promotes diversity and inclusion, making it easier for people with different backgrounds, time zones, and abilities to contribute to the team. By accommodating various work styles and personal circumstances, companies can build a more inclusive and supportive environment that encourages everyone to succeed.
The best culture advocates you have are your own employees, getting them bought into your core values and living them is essential when it comes to your company culture. It helps to fuel the mission and vision of the business. - Brittinay Lenhart, Work Culture Consultant
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While implementing an asynchronous culture offers numerous benefits, it is essential to recognize and address the challenges that may arise.
Here are three common obstacles and how to tackle them:
A. Resistance to change: Change can be intimidating and met with resistance from employees. Encourage open dialogue and address concerns by highlighting the benefits of asynchronous work culture. Offer training and support where needed to ease the transition and help employees feel more comfortable with the new approach.
B. Maintaining accountability: Establishing and maintaining accountability in an asynchronous environment can be challenging. Set clear deadlines, track progress, and hold regular check-ins to ensure tasks are completed on time. Utilize project management tools to keep everyone on the same page and clearly understand individual responsibilities.
C. Ensuring clear and effective communication: In an asynchronous setting, it is essential to have clear and effective communication channels. Provide guidelines and best practices for using different tools and platforms. Here’s an example of how the distributed team at Zapier encourages their team to follow good Slack etiquette. Encourage employees to ask for clarification and prioritize transparency to prevent misunderstandings proactively.
Adopting asynchronous culture building is not merely a trend but a lasting shift in how modern organizations function. With an increasing number of distributed teams across different time zones and the demand for flexibility in work preferences and lifestyle choices that emerged during the pandemic, it is clear that asynchronous work culture is here to stay.
Embracing this innovative approach is crucial for organizations seeking to stay ahead of the curve. By fostering asynchronous culture, companies are better equipped to accommodate the unique needs of their diverse workforce, including employees who prefer nontraditional work schedules or require greater flexibility due to family commitments or health considerations. This inclusive environment not only improves employee satisfaction but also boosts productivity and overall business performance.
As we move further into the future, the importance of asynchronous culture building will only continue to grow. Organizations that prioritize adaptability, employee autonomy, and effective communication will excel in this new era, while those who cling to traditional methods risk stagnating.
Now, it's time for you to rise to the challenge. Take the necessary steps to implement and refine an asynchronous work culture in your organization. By doing so, you'll be positioning your team for success, harnessing the full potential of your diverse workforce, and paving the way for a thriving, inclusive, and innovative work environment. The future of work is asynchronous – and it's time for you to lead the charge.
