On Say “Alaka‘i” today: Writing is for Thinking
At first take, we think of writing as a way we can communicate. Writing is much more than that: Writing is for thinking. Communicating is just one possible result.
For instance, I am convinced that one of the reasons blogging has taken off the way it has, is because writing for an audience helps the writer think more clearly in the process of their communication result. They need the clarity if they are to be understood in the way they intend to be understood, especially in such a public publishing platform.
I’m big on journaling exercises in my coaching for much the same reason. I’m one of those people who have always written to think better, doing so long before there were blogs, however I have also found that encouraging the transcribing of the written word helps other people too. It’s simple, it’s quick, it’s portable, and best of all, it works.
Straight-forward management strategy doesn’t get much better than that.
Thus as far as Alaka‘i management and leadership in business, writing is a skill that the successful will learn to master. You learn to master it yourself, and you coach those you manage and lead to master it as well.
Better communication results as a fringe benefit, but the real treasure to be uncovered is the clarity of your connected thinking.
Writing and journaling is a process kind of thing. Writing is the mental gymnastics that you can then apply to the best possible health of your productivity.
Once I write something out I transfer my decisions to my calendar (my calendar is an “obey me” commander I do not ignore or negotiate with) or I just act on it right then and there. One of those two things done, the writing that led up to it will often get thrown away ”“ even if it’s been pages and pages of stuff. I don’t need or want the clutter; I need and want the clarity.
So managers, leaders, pick up that pen or pencil and start to write.
Sit at your keyboard with an open Word doc if you prefer, however make it your habit so you can continually work on mastering the skill ofgreat writing. Don’t worry about any publishing of it for now, though it could result for you later in a staff newsletter, in better emailsto your customers, or in a clear partnership agreement with your suppliers. For now, the writing that you do for your eyes only will probably be what’s most valuable to you. You will think, you will reason, you will come to greater clarity in better decisions, all skills Alaka‘i managers and leaders must master.
Let’s talk story.
Are you someone who will also write to think? Tell us more! Comment here, or via the tweet-conversation we have on Twitter @sayalakai.
~ Originally published on Say “Alaka‘i” ~
Writing is for Thinking
photo credit: Writing by JKim1 on Flickr