The theory

When it comes to knowledge work, nothing beats writing in terms of efficiency, flexibility, and clarity of message. Compared to formats like video, it’s cheap and easy to store, searchable by default, and accessible by default. Writing-first cultures makes it far easier to build and maintain a “company brain” of context and information; a powerful tool for empowering people to self-help and make decisions autonomously.

Writing is defacto asynchronous, which makes it a natural choice maximizing flexibility in remote and hybrid contexts. It doesn’t matter where people are working from, what time they’re working, or even what device they’re using. Write, post, and share; people will read and respond when they’re on.

Writing is the ultimate idea clarifier, refining ideas into their sharpest form before they get shared. It ensures that messages aren’t just heard, but understood. A culture of writing leads to stronger alignment for less effort, and fewer half-baked ideas.

Writing levels the playing field, shifting the focus from the people who talk loudest to those with the best ideas. Writing promotes a culture where substance beats dominance.

Start with asynchronous writing and use other tools — like meetings — only when need be.

Further reading

• Bryar, C., Carr, B. (2021). Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon. St. Martin’s Press.

  Amazon replaced PowerPoint presentations with narrative-driven memos to improve decision-making and information sharing, as detailed in this book. This approach emphasizes clarity and depth of ideas over presentation skills, enabling better analysis and shared understanding.

• Parrish, S. (2023, November 21). Writing to Think. Farnam Street.

  This essay highlights the importance of writing for fostering deep thinking and understanding, contrasting this with the superficial convenience of AI-generated text, which diminishes the opportunity to develop critical thinking and unique perspectives.

• Zinsser, W. (1988). Writing to Learn: How to Write - and Think - Clearly About Any Subject at All.

  This classic encourages and guides readers to develop their writing skills to clarify their thoughts and communicate more effectively.

• VandeHei, J., Allen, M., Schwartz, R. (2022). Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less. Workman Publishing.

  A guide from the journalists at Axios and Politico to effective communication in the digital age, focusing on delivering clear, concise, and impactful messages.

• Strunk, W., White, E. B. (1959). The Elements of Style. Macmillan.

  A concise guide to English writing style and grammar. It emphasizes clarity, brevity, and precision in writing, offering practical rules and tips for effective written communication.