10. Using Calendar to communicate presence in an async team
Tips on using Google Calendar to improve your async work practices, communicate your presence and become a better remote worker
Slack is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of communication tools. But the different tools we use in remote teams have different roles in communication - and all of them contribute in different ways.
Contextual communication is the key to robust communication in async teams - what does that mean?
We use different apps for different kinds of communication. An example is using a project management solution to discuss everything related to a specific task in product development. The information isn't lost in random Slack conversations but is close to the job "context". All conversations happen very close to the original reason for the exchange.
Similarly, Google Calendar can communicate "presence" in async teams. Here is how I use Google Calendar to do this:
The calendar is public by default
Set the visibility of your calendar to the public (within your organisation). This allows people to see your "presence". I add calendar events for almost everything I do and try to be descriptive. - both life and work. Here are some examples of life events:
I also add descriptive messages for work-related events. An example would be "Working on Q3 strategy - [redacted]."
A teammate can look at my calendar and see what I'm up to today or this week.
More than just calendar events
I use a "header message" to communicate what I’m doing that might affect the way I work.
Here is an example: I'm travelling this week, and I have this on top of my calendar:
You can also add your location on your calendar to communicate what time zone you are in. In an ideal async world, I wouldn't have to do this. But we are not there yet, and that's ok.
Add focus times
Focus times are my time to get the work done. These are two-hour blocks early in the day, before lunch. My time zone allows me not to take many meetings in the morning.
I also add "open to meetings" blocks on my calendar. Here is an example of having meetings with folks on the other side of the globe.
I have a couple of late slots like this every week, which can be booked if necessary.
Bonus:
Here are a few companies who are currently hiring people remotely:
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Thanks for reading, and see you soon with another exciting edition!
Sooraj,
You can follow me on Twitter to see more of my ramblings on async work and life.