Sync vs Async

Here’s what I’ve discovered about synchronous and asynchronous communication:

Sometimes, asynchronous is a better way to communicate. Thoughtful discussion, meaningful input, and solidified thinking are a by-product of communication that is important enough to slow down and do properly.

Sometimes, real-time is better. Immediate discussion, reactive input, and dissolved thinking are a by-product of communication that couldn’t slow down, where imperfect mostly-forward-movement is a better representation of progress.

The former works great only in teams who invest in the skill. Asynchronous communication is hard. Hard things need practice.

The latter works better for the rest. Because things have a habit of setting on fire when the skills aren’t there yet and real-time is more familiar.

Will you invest in the skill? Will those you talk to? What could you achieve if you did?