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How to Make Asynchronous Work Part of Your Your Company Culture
4 segments available
When many companies go remote, they try to copy and paste the office environment into the virtual environment. On the a16z Podcast, GitLab’s Head of Remote Darren Murph explains why this doesn't work, and that fully remote companies can create a more productive culture by prioritizing speed of knowledge retrieval over speed of knowledge transfer. Watch Darren's full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys66HKeE8lg GitLab: * GitLab’s website: https://about.gitlab.com/ * GitLab on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gitlab * Darren on Twitter: https://twitter.com/darrenmurph Stay Updated: * Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z * Find us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z * Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ * Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithio Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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Sync vs. Async: A Balanced Approach
Darren Murph discusses the importance of integrating both synchronous and asynchronous workflows into company culture. He emphasizes that asynchronous communication should be a core value at GitLab, promoting respect for employees' time and encouraging a shift in mindset towards more efficient work practices.
"you mentioned sync versus async we try to look at it as sync complementing async there are there are two tools in a toolbox sometimes you need the synchronous tools sometimes you need the asynchronous..."
The Shift from Knowledge Transfer to Knowledge Retrieval
Murph explains the common mistake of prioritizing knowledge transfer over knowledge retrieval in remote work environments. He highlights the need for management to focus on creating systems that allow employees to access information independently, which is crucial for scaling knowledge in a globally distributed workforce.
"it into your values and operating principles it really can't it it's non-optional if you look at the gitlab values page you'll find an operating principle of bias toward asynchronous communication and..."
Making Meetings Optional: A New Paradigm
At GitLab, all meetings are optional, and Murph outlines the criteria for scheduling synchronous meetings, including the necessity of an agenda. This approach respects employees' time and allows for contributions even when individuals cannot attend, fostering a culture of documentation and information sharing.
"of knowledge retrieval how fast can person a and person B seek and find information on Parallel tracks without needing each other to be online or awake or fully brought up to speed and this really get..."
Reducing Meetings: Practical Tips
Murph shares strategies for reducing unnecessary meetings, advocating for memos over meetings for status updates and recurring discussions. He encourages organizations to identify low-hanging fruit in their meeting schedules to improve efficiency and promote asynchronous communication.
"meetings to be optional we also document what good meetings look like and what things shouldn't necessarily be in meetings be a meeting organizations ask me all the time how do we reduce meetings and ..."