Effective leadership requires strong writing skills.
In the modern workplace, effective written communication has become a crucial skill, especially for leaders navigating complex subjects in a hybrid environment. According to a recent article published in Harvard Business Review (HBR), leaders can enhance their written communication skills in a second language by adopting clear writing practices, structured learning, and a sensitivity to the unique demands of hybrid and asynchronous communication.
Many people treat writing as a second language, using formal and complicated phrases. However, leaders should strive for a conversational style and tone in their written communication. This approach can help bridge any language barriers and ensure that their messages are easily understood by their team members.
The expertise problem, where leaders assume their team has the same level of knowledge as they do, can lead to complex and confusing communication. To avoid this, leaders should write clearly and straightforwardly, using plain language and simple sentence structures. Breaking down complex subjects into manageable parts can reduce cognitive load for readers, especially non-native speakers.
Leaders also need to practice active listening and empathy, understanding their audience’s perspectives and pain points to tailor their writing. Recognizing emotional context and anticipating questions your readers might have can improve clarity and engagement.
In the hybrid work environment, where face-to-face interaction is limited, written communication becomes even more crucial. Leaders should adapt to the communication norms of this setting, documenting their ideas fully and writing everything down clearly. Being mindful of tone is crucial because the lack of vocal and body language cues can lead to misunderstandings. Using formatting tools (headings, bullet points) to enhance readability can also help.
Leaders can further improve their written communication skills through structured training and expert guidance. Participating in executive communication workshops or courses focused on writing skills for leaders can provide practical exercises, personalized feedback, and techniques for improving clarity, tone, and persuasion.
Before writing, leaders should develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, analyzing the complex subject logically, identifying key points, and organizing their thoughts systematically. This makes their written communication more coherent.
Lastly, leaders should request feedback and revise diligently, using the feedback to improve future communications iteratively. Having peers or mentors review their writing can help identify language issues or ambiguities.
In conclusion, these approaches build leaders’ confidence and competence in written communication in a second language within a complex, hybrid environment, balancing clarity, empathy, and adaptability. As the workplace continues to evolve, leaders, in addition to other skills, need to be good writers to effectively communicate with their teams and external customers.
[1] Source for clear writing practices [2] Source for active listening and empathy [3] Source for structured training and expert guidance [4] Source for adapting to hybrid work communication norms [5] Source for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills
This article provides links for sharing the content on various platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, WhatsApp, AddToAny, Pocket, Reddit). As some companies are recalling their employees back to the office, it is essential for leaders to maintain effective written communication skills to ensure a smooth transition.
In the transition towards a full-time remote work setup, leaders can apply clear writing practices, which they might have learned from expert guidance [3], to make their home-and-garden office environment more conducive to effective communication. By writing in a conversational style and tone, leaders can reduce the complexity of their messages, similar to how they would when discussing topics during a coffee break in a physical office [1].
Moreover, as the hybrid work lifestyle [2] involves less face-to-face interaction, leaders should emphasize the importance of maintaining garden-fresh connections with their teams through well-organized and easily digestible written communication, ensuring that their team members don't feel like they've been stuck indoors, isolated from essential information [4].
