Benefits of Synchronous Communication for Remote Teams
If you ask us how we imagine our ideal workstation, we would answer with “On the terrace overlooking the sea, with a virgin Mojito in one hand, and a notebook in the other.”
With workplaces increasingly switching to remote work, this scenario that was once a dream became a reality for many.
Remote work has enabled employees to do their jobs from multiple locations, maintain a better work-life balance, and increase their overall job satisfaction.
After the switch to remote or hybrid work models, companies started to focus on the results, rather than the actual hours.
The truth is that we changed the way we do and perceive work. And this is why we had to change the way we communicate - to adapt and use asynchronous and synchronous communication interchangeably.
We wanted to examine the way we communicate today, and see the benefits of synchronous vs asynchronous communication in the workplace, and help you skyrocket your productivity and allow you to do less while achieving more.
What is Synchronous Communication?
But, before we start talking about the benefits of synchronous communication, let’s see what is the definition of synchronous communication.
The simplest explanation of synchronous communication would be to say it’s the communication that happens only in real-time. It can be via video or phone call, via chat messages, or in in-person meetings, but it’s important to note that all parties involved in a conversation are present at the same time.
Contrary to synchronous communication, asynchronous one can be defined as exchanging information in different moments.
Now, you might be wondering what is better. Can we really confidently say one type of communication is better than the other?
The most honest answer would be “no”. These two types of communication go hand in hand, and we need to use them both if we want to operate at an optimal level.
Benefits of synchronous communication for remote teams
Now when we explain what synchronous communication is, let’s see what benefits it brings to the workplace.
- Brings people together.
As they say “out of sight, out of mind”, remote employees might feel disconnected and alone, since they’re physically away from their team. The loneliness can become even greater if they work in different time zones from the rest of the team.
Synchronous communication can help remote teams close the gap remote work has brought, as it helps them feel more connected and as a part of the team. Synchronous communication is also more informal since people usually don’t take too long to craft a message - it’s dynamic and fast, and it mimics spoken conversation. Due to its informal nature, remote workers perceive it as more friendly.
- Helps in problem resolution.
Written words can be interpreted in a million ways, while spoken communication leaves little room for ambiguity. Synchronous communication mimics spoken words, as it is dynamic and fast, and it’s best when it comes to dealing with sensitive topics, as the person can correct themselves or explain the subject more closely since they type in real-time.
Real-time online communication (using tools such as Slack) enables developers to address different issues on the spot. You don't have to wait to get the most pressing problems fixed. Production can keep moving forward because you don’t need to wait for someone else’s response.
- Improves collaborative spirit.
Some projects require immediate reaction and brainstorming sessions. In this case, it’s always nice to have a way to talk about the said project without having to wait for people to go online. Instead, team members can have instant feedback, and move onto problem resolution.
- Increases employee engagement.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual team buildings became a thing. Spending time together with your coworkers (even if it's online) can help your business build a strong and engaged team of people that work towards a common goal.
- Makes the feedback process much easier.
Proper feedback is crucial for creating a healthy and engaging environment, as it helps businesses to achieve better results, and increase productivity. Proper feedback helps the team avoid major mistakes since it secures a proper and undisturbed flow of communication. It also keeps everyone on track and motivates team members to perform at their best.
Since many businesses operate on a remote basis, giving and receiving feedback became much harder. Luckily, using video-conferencing tools, managers and employees can stay on track, and ensure they're on the same page at all times.
Cons of Synchronous Communication for Remote Teams
Now when we explain what synchronous communication is, let’s see what benefits it brings to the workplace.
- Brings people together.
As they say “out of sight, out of mind”, remote employees might feel disconnected and alone, since they’re physically away from their team. The loneliness can become even greater if they work in different time zones from the rest of the team.
Synchronous communication can help remote teams close the gap remote work has brought, as it helps them feel more connected and as a part of the team. Synchronous communication is also more informal since people usually don’t take too long to craft a message - it’s dynamic and fast, and it mimics spoken conversation. Due to its informal nature, remote workers perceive it as more friendly.
- Helps in problem resolution.
Written words can be interpreted in a million ways, while spoken communication leaves little room for ambiguity. Synchronous communication mimics spoken words, as it is dynamic and fast, and it’s best when it comes to dealing with sensitive topics, as the person can correct themselves or explain the subject more closely since they type in real-time.
Real-time online communication (using tools such as Slack) enables developers to address different issues on the spot. You don't have to wait to get the most pressing problems fixed. Production can keep moving forward because you don’t need to wait for someone else’s response.
- Improves collaborative spirit.
Some projects require immediate reaction and brainstorming sessions. In this case, it’s always nice to have a way to talk about the said project without having to wait for people to go online. Instead, team members can have instant feedback, and move onto problem resolution.
- Increases employee engagement.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual team buildings became a thing. Spending time together with your coworkers (even if it's online) can help your business build a strong and engaged team of people that work towards a common goal.
- Makes the feedback process much easier.
Proper feedback is crucial for creating a healthy and engaging environment, as it helps businesses to achieve better results, and increase productivity. Proper feedback helps the team avoid major mistakes since it secures a proper and undisturbed flow of communication. It also keeps everyone on track and motivates team members to perform at their best.
Since many businesses operate on a remote basis, giving and receiving feedback became much harder. Luckily, using video-conferencing tools, managers and employees can stay on track, and ensure they're on the same page at all times.
Cons of Synchronous Communication for Remote Teams
Even though it comes with plenty of benefits, synchronous communication has its set of drawbacks too. Let’s see what some of them are, to help you use the potential of this type of communication to the maximum.
- Differences in time zones.
Remote teams that hire people from around the globe, might find synchronous communication tiring. With people scattered around different time zones, it’s hard to find overlapping times that work for each member of the team. When some team members have to constantly sacrifice their non-working hours to be there when their coworkers need them, it affects their work-life balance, job satisfaction, and takes a toll on their productivity and motivation.
- It can be distracting.
Synchronous communication can be damaging to productivity, as the constant notifications from different chats might damage employees' focus and concentration. Furthermore, when they hear they got the message, many people feel like they need to respond instantly. And when we know how long people usually take to recover from a distraction, we know how damaging real-time chats might be.
- Decreased productivity, increased stress.
As we've already said, instant chats instil a sense of urgency, and people might get anxious to respond to messages in real-time. However, if the messages are constantly reappearing, their focus gets disrupted, and consequently, productivity suffers. Furthermore, while using the chat at work, employees might feel pressured to be present at all times, which adds stress on top of their regular work priorities.