I can’t remember ever seeing “good writing” in any list of top skills for leaders. While most leadership experts cite communication as critical, writing, which requires a knowledge base and skill set very different from verbal communication, often gets little press. That’s unfortunate because leaders write every day. Here are a few examples of how leaders who write well set themselves apart.
Effective written communication allows leaders to inspire and motivate their team members. Inspirational emails, newsletters, or personalized messages acknowledging team accomplishments and expressing gratitude can boost morale and foster a sense of camaraderie. A well-written, specific performance review can inspire a team member to improve, even if the content is not always good news.
Leaders with strong writing skills can drive decision-making and achieve positive outcomes. Persuasive proposals, reports, and marketing materials crafted with clarity and compelling arguments influence stakeholders. In his book Management Communication, A Case Analysis Approach, James S. O’Rourke IV observed, “Good ideas are invariably strengthened on paper, and weak ideas are exposed for what they are.”
Leaders who write consistent and transparent business updates with honest business information build trust and confidence, fostering a positive work environment and strengthening partnerships with internal and external clients.
Finally, leaders set standards to help junior team members become better communicators. When a leader is forced to spend time extensively revising the written work of a team member before it is high enough quality to be published or shared, the entire team’s productivity takes a hit. When I ask leaders how they will determine if my writing training and coaching programs get results, a common refrain I hear is, “I won’t have to spend so much time editing!”
While the best leaders look to develop their employees to follow them into leadership, the best employees don’t wait for that day. Their leadership journey starts with their first day on the job. In my next post, I’ll share how good use of language and structure in written communication can strengthen the writer’s leadership reputation.