Can it wait? Why you should opt for asynchronous communication

You know the drill: you’re deep in focused work, a Slack or Teams message pops up, and suddenly your train of thought is derailed. 

Constant interruptions are a black hole for focus and productivity. 

That’s why asynchronous communication – sharing information without expecting an instant reply – is gaining traction. It allows people to engage on their terms, making workplaces more efficient and less stressful. 

Let’s explore why now is the perfect time for an async-first approach.

Building a high-performance workforce

Asynchronous communication addresses key workplace challenges – hybrid and remote work, burnout, and the struggle to focus amid endless notifications. Async communication offers more flexibility and productivity gains for your workforce, argues Danny Coleman in Personnel Today. Instead of focusing on where we work, having an async approach shifts attention to how we work, so teams can collaborate without needing to be online at the same time.

Done right, he argues, async communication reduces tool fatigue by cutting down on constant app switching. It supports deep work, boosting productivity and job satisfaction. It helps teams to collaborate across time zones, making global teamwork not just possible but effective. And it reduces burnout by ditching the pressure for instant responses.

But async isn’t just about using new tools—it requires a culture shift. Leaders must set clear expectations, define response times, and promote async-first workflows

“Effective communication isn’t about speed,” says David Fletcher, VP of Employee Communications Strategy at Appspace, “it’s about clarity and impact. Asynchronous communication gives you the space to think critically. It allows teams to exchange ideas thoughtfully, cut back on distractions, and will help you to build a more focused, high-performing workplace.”

Why the “quick question” is anything but

That “quick question”? It might feel like a harmless, momentary interruption. But as this Between the Deadlines blog post points out, these seemingly small pings can cost hours of lost productivity.

The issue, it argues, for anyone doing deep, creative work is that they operate on a “maker’s schedule,” which thrives on long, uninterrupted focus periods, whereas managers typically function in shorter, meeting-heavy bursts. 

The result is that every unscheduled interruption forces makers to context-switch, which leads to frustration, inefficiency, and slower overall output. 

So, before sending that Slack ping, ask yourself: Is this truly urgent, or can it wait? 

Top tips for shifting to an async-first workplace 

We asked David Fletcher to give us his top tips for switching to an asynchronous communication model. Here’s what he said:

Lead by example to make async work a success

While asynchronous work sounds great in theory, it needs strong leadership to succeed. Leaders need to:

• Model async behavior by responding thoughtfully instead of instantly.
• Reinforce async-first norms, which means reducing the pressure to be constantly available.
• Train teams on how to communicate effectively in an async environment, like how to write clear, structured messages.

Use async to reduce stress and boost focus

Beyond productivity, asynchronous communication improves employee wellbeing:

• Reduces stress by eliminating the pressure of immediate responses.
• Encourages deep work, allowing employees to focus without constant interruptions.
• Supports neurodivergent employees, who may find real-time meetings overwhelming but thrive with written or recorded communication.

Be aware of when synchronous is better

While async is powerful, there are times when real-time interaction is a must:

• High-stakes decision-making that needs immediate discussion.
• Sensitive topics where tone and nuance matter – like performance reviews and conflict resolution.
• Team-building and social bonding, which benefit from live interaction.

The key is to find the right balance—using async as the default but scheduling sync time when truly needed.

Measure success and keep your async strategy fresh

To track the impact of asynchronous communication or work, take a look at:

• Fewer unnecessary meetings (track the number of meetings vs. async updates).
• Faster response times on key tasks without increased employee burnout.
• Higher employee engagement in async-first teams.

“Choose tech that can help you build an async-friendly workplace that gives teams the space to focus, collaborate effectively, and engage on their own terms,” says Fletcher, “and when that happens, they don’t just work better – they truly thrive.”

If you’re looking for insights on how to build a better workplace experience with the right employee comms solution, learn more here.