Making time to write well takes time… but it's worth it. Here's why!

Tuesday: Return Driven Strategy FROM THE DESK OF MILES EVERSON: Happy Tuesday! Welcome to today’s edition of “Return Driven Strategy (RDS).” For those of you who are not yet familiar with this, RDS is a pyramid-shaped framework with 11 tenets and 3 foundations. When applied properly, these principles help businesses achieve their organizational—and even career—objectives. Today, let's delve deeper into the 11th tenet of RDS (Communicate Holistically) in the context of written communication. Read on to know why it’s important that you dedicate some time in your day to learn to write well. CEO, MBO Partners Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute

Making time to write well takes time… but it's worth it. Here's why! In today’s work landscape, there’s a stereotype that when someone excels in his or her work, that person will be given more tasks. Given more tasks = Taking on so much work to the point of burnout Because of that, lots of professionals end up settling for less or just the average. In their minds, they’d rather not be recognized for their performance if it means taking on less tasks and avoiding getting too drained. … but that doesn’t have to stay that way, right? As an individual professional, you can be excellent in your job without having to be afraid of getting a lot on your plate! We’ll talk about that in today’s article through the lens of written communication… According to authors Joel Raphaelson and Kenneth Roman in the book, “Writing That Works,” writing better does NOT mean writing more. In fact, writing better means you’ll be writing less. Wouldn’t you want that? Raphaelson and Roman say that by improving your writing, you’re helping save your and other people’s time because there’ll be less back-and-forths, miscommunication, etc. Here’s the thing: It takes time to write well. In the words of management guru Peter Drucker: “People are wrong when they say there are only 24 hours in a day—there are actually only two, perhaps three, that you can use productively, and the difference between busy executives and effective ones is how they use that time.” In this statement, Drucker implies that being effective means picking your spots and concentrating your energy on a major document, project, or speech that will make a DIFFERENCE. Think about this: The biggest waste of time is shuffling things from one pile to another while you drown in a sea of indecision. So, if everyone were BIG on being effective throughout their days, what would you do to make sure your writing will get their attention and save them time? Below are three of Raphaelson and Roman’s tips in their book: Make the organization of your writing clear. According to Raphaelson and Roman, some people write badly because “they cannot think clearly.” So, before you put pen to paper, always first make sure your thoughts and the message you want to convey are organized into a coherent order. Know where you are going in your writing. Make an outline of your main points then place supporting details respectively. Emphasize important sections in your draft either through a bold, italic, or underline format. Lastly, end with a summary. This should just briefly summarize the important points you’ve made, NOT introduce new ideas to your readers. Use short paragraphs, sentences, and words. Always remember this simple principle: Short sentences and paragraphs are EASIER to read and understand than long ones. Raphaelson and Roman say reliance on long words, which are often more abstract than short ones, can be a sign that you’ve not worked out exactly what you want to say. After all, if your thoughts about something you’re writing about are clear, then it would be easier to express them in simple terms! Make your writing active AND personal. Good writers always choose the active voice over the passive voice because the former adds energy to one’s writing. What’s more? Writing in the active voice is shorter than the passive voice! Take a look at these examples: We recommend vs. It is recommended Tell him vs. He should be told I ate the cookies vs. The cookies were eaten by me In these sentences, it’s no wonder that the first variations are better than the second. So, if you want to help your readers save time and feel the action or energy in your writing, go for the active voice! Making Time to Write Well and Return Driven Strategy’s (RDS) Tenet 11: Communicate Holistically In the book, “Driven,” authors Professor Joel Litman and Dr. Mark L. Frigo say that in discussions of communications strategy, the power of communication must be viewed in light of the higher tenets of RDS. One might ask: “Is the pen TRULY mightier than the sword?” Well, it may not be, but there is no doubt that the pen, when viewed as a sword in one’s business or career, is powerful for creating wealth. This means written communication is as important as verbal communication. Therefore, individuals must not only have their thoughts organized but also learn to have a basic or strong command in the language they’re using to write. The result of this? A kind of discipline that sets aside the time for the truly important as opposed to the merely urgent… … that helps you clear the decks—in your office or home—for the jobs that really matter… … and that lessens miscommunications in your strategy. Take note of the tips discussed in today’s article! As you think about and do these things, you’ll see that implicit on every tip is the idea—the truth—that the ultimate time-saver is effective communication. — If you’re looking to gain a better understanding of Return Driven Strategy and Career Driven Strategy, we highly recommend checking out “Driven” by Professor Litman and Dr. Frigo. Click here to get your copy and learn how this framework can help you in your business strategies and ultimately, in ethically maximizing wealth for your firm. Hope you found this week’s insights interesting and helpful.     What factors do you consider when buying outdoor wear? 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