Effective Writing for Leaders - What does it look like?
As a leader, communication is one of your key jobs, effective communication is critical for you, and your writing needs to reflect it! The problem is that not many people talk about what is effective writing, beyond the usual concepts of syntax, coherence, cohesion, organized thought etc. At BeOne, we think, that effective writing is way beyond the skill. So, here is how we see leaders write:
1. Leaders write with a clear purpose
Leaders instill a sense of purpose in their people. They drive their people with a fierce desire to create value. Whether it is the market that they want to lead, or it is the industry they intend to change, they know well that change begins at home. This purpose has to clearly reflect in their writing.
2. Leaders write to transform
Leaders understand that transformation isn’t about lip service. They understand that people can see through façade and hollow words. So, they write with a clear understanding of what is and what can be. They also understand and envision the path that needs to be taken to fulfill the vision. They communicate it clearly, effectively, and authentically; and that’s what makes their writing transformative.
3. Leaders write to connect
Leaders understand the importance of experiences. They understand the value of proven results. They also know how to build on the legacy, while still remaining relevant to the ever-changing world. In their writings, they are able to closely re-create these experiences for their audience. Their writeups re-instill the sense of accomplishment, joy, pride, and other positive emotions in their readers. It connects people!
4. Leaders write to empower
Leaders understand that meaningful transformation, and experience is ultimately something that their people need to be able to create as well. They also understand that transformation does have a method, and that if empowered, all people are capable of creating transformations in their lives, in their careers, in their business units and beyond. So, they empower their readers by giving them a clear plan, a clear course, a clear method to the madness.
5. Leaders leave their audience with actionable points
No transformation happens without action. Leaders understand this. They know that people sometimes need the nudge, the push. They know that people don’t want just knowledge, but that they sometimes need clear action points. Leaders’ writing leaves readers with a clarity on what they should do, or how should they carry out certain tasks, in order to achieve certain results.
So, if you’re a leader who aspires to write super-effectively, here are a few things you might want to keep in writing your next piece:
1. Write from your experience. Crisply narrate what you set out to do, how you went about it, and whether you accomplished the goal, or whether you took away a lesson.
2. Invite your people to apply their learning to their role, their task, no matter how big or small. Invite them to share their results and their learning.
3. Create a sense of belonging, and drive a cultural shift towards people feeling connected both with you, their leader, and with each other.
Do share your thoughts about your experiences of writing as a leader. Whether it was a keynote speech, or an article you wrote for your monthly newsletter, or a book, what was your experience of writing it?