Hybrid collaboration and asynchronous communication are two key factors for successful work in a rapidly changing world of work. Whereas in the past, work either took place synchronously in the same place, today people work together synchronously and asynchronously. Hybrid work allows collaboration to take place spatially and at different working hours. What does hybrid collaboration mean?
Key facts
- Hybrid work has significantly changed communication in companies. As a result of the interchangeable model, this is increasingly asynchronous.
- Companies & executives must adapt to this new form of hybrid collaboration.
- Tools such as online whiteboards, project management systems or workplace booking systems help to organize the new everyday life.
- In doing so, managers in particular must reorganize their teams & lead by example.
How has communication & collaboration changed in companies?
Communication has developed asynchronously in many areas. Employees who work either locally or from home communicate with each other at different times and in different places. This has positive and negative effects on hybrid collaboration within the company.
Managers and employees at the same time must therefore now consider four different ways of working in hybrid work: asynchronously separated from one another, synchronously together and asynchronously together:
Asynchronous communication (different time, different location)
Asynchronously separated work takes place at different locations and at different times. For example, this could mean that one team member is working in the USA while another is working in Europe.
Leaders must create standards to avoid an “always-on” culture that can lead to burnout. This starts with a healthy messaging culture. This includes:
- Set limits & communicate: A distinction between private life and work is important. By placing a small note in the subject line or in the message itself that it has time to answer, managers protect the privacy of employees.
- Act as a role model: Managers should also comply with these rules outside working hours. So no answering emails in your free time.
- Share status & absences: The status & presence mark in chat programs such as Microsoft Teams show who is currently available. Within hybrid collaboration, it is important to understand and accept these signals.
Synchronous communication (same time, different location)
Synchronously separated work takes place at different locations at the same time. This type probably represents hybrid everyday life and typical collaboration in companies. Here, communication is completely synchronous. You can therefore as usual hybrid meetings are held and emails and chats are carried out with a slight time delay.
Particularly important in this model: A hybrid onboarding is the key to familiarizing employees with hybrid collaboration within the company right from the start.
Synchronous communication (same time, same place)
This type of synchronous communication is one of the most important hybrid options for collaboration. Because everything here is the same as before: Everyone is in the office at the same time. Companies should use these face-to-face days specifically for processes that are difficult to manage remotely.
Strategic or creative meetings, which are particularly suitable for personal collaboration, should be scheduled specifically on these days. But even more important is maintaining a hybrid corporate culture. Team building is particularly suitable in this set-up.
Asynchronous communication (different time, same location)
This type of communication is aimed primarily at those who work remotely or where entire departments work in the same place but at a different time through a shift system. However, this type of communication also affects part-time workers who are only in the office or working from home on certain days.
It is important here to record results and work progress for all employees. Project management tools, meeting recordings, or online whiteboards are essential for hybrid collaboration here. Everyone must be able to read what was discussed in order to be able to draw their own conclusions about the respective work.
Managers play a central role
Leaders can harness the full potential of each of these modes by helping their employees make their working hours and locations more flexible, and providing the right tools and technology to work together successfully, regardless of whether they're in the same place and at the same time.
Asynchronous communication is particularly important in hybrid collaboration, as it allows team members to get work done and provide feedback without relying on the presence of other team members. Tools such as email, instant messaging, and project management software make asynchronous communication and collaboration easy.
Overall, hybrid collaboration and asynchronous communication require a change of mindset and adaptation to changing working conditions.
5 tips for successful hybrid collaboration
These challenges of hybrid collaboration can be overcome by taking small measures:
- Using the right tools: To enable successful hybrid collaboration, chat programs, cloud solutions and project management tools are particularly important for asynchronous communication.
- Facilitate communication: In order to ensure a smooth flow of information, accessibility rules should be set. In addition, time and space should be set aside for informal meetings to promote interpersonal communication.
- Encourage face-to-face communication: Personal exchange between employees and managers is important and should not be neglected even at a distance. Regular meetings and monitoring of team dynamics by managers are important to ensure that no one falls behind or isolates themselves.
- Organize meetings: To ensure that all participants feel involved, the camera should always be switched on and a clear structure and time frame should be defined. Regular breaks are also important.
- Carry out team building measures: Team building measures are important to maintain and strengthen team spirit, even when team members work physically separately.
Simplify hybrid work with Seatti
However, to utilize the full potential of these forms of work, leaders must ensure that they support their employees by providing them with the right tools and technologies, and ensuring that expectations and responsibilities are clearly defined, working conditions are safe, and the work-life balance of employees is maintained.
Workstation booking software such as Seatti can represent a central organizational tool here. By integrating with Microsoft 365 employees can quickly and easily book workplaces, meeting rooms and parking spaces. This allows hybrid work to be organized quickly and efficiently.
