The Power of Penning Down Ideas: One of My Biggest Learning of the Past Year

As someone who’s been deeply involved across operations, procurement and supply chain, I've always been surrounded by a whirlwind of meetings, decisions, and presentations. Over the past year, I’ve come to realize a significant difference between presenting ideas through presentations and articulating them in written papers. This realization has profoundly influenced the way I work and communicate.

In my previous work environments, presentations were often the go-to tool for communication. They're quick, visually engaging, and seem efficient for conveying information. But I’ve come to see that this convenience sometimes comes at the expense of depth and reflection.

Creating a presentation often focuses on aesthetics and brevity. While these are important, they can sometimes overshadow the substance of the content. Bullet points and slides may capture the essence of an idea, but they often lack the detailed exploration and nuanced arguments that a written paper can provide.

Writing papers demands a different level of engagement. It requires thorough research, critical thinking, and a structured approach to presenting arguments.

Encouraging myself and my team to write detailed reports and papers instead of relying solely on slides has revealed several key benefits:

• Writing forces us to slow down and think more deeply about our ideas. It makes us clarify our thoughts, consider different perspectives, and build coherent arguments. This process leads to a more profound understanding of the subject matter.
• A well-written paper communicates complex ideas more effectively. It allows the reader to follow the author’s line of reasoning, understand the context, and appreciate the nuances. This depth of communication is often lost in the brevity of slides.
• Papers provide a comprehensive view of the issue at hand. They include background information, detailed analysis, and evidence to support conclusions. This thoroughness leads to better-informed decisions, as all aspects of the problem are considered.

One of the most challenging yet enlightening experiences I had last year was when my manager tasked me with creating a three-year department roadmap. Unlike the usual presentation approach I was accustomed to, he insisted that we write a detailed paper instead.?

Coming from company cultures that heavily relied on presentations, this was a big adjustment. I had to transition from creating visually appealing slides to constructing a coherent, detailed narrative. I spent hours organizing my thoughts, conducting in-depth research, and structuring my arguments.

However, this challenge turned into a revelation. Writing the paper forced me to think more deeply about our strategy. I had to consider every aspect, anticipate potential challenges, and present well-reasoned solutions. The process was painstaking but ultimately rewarding. When I presented the paper to him, it sparked richer discussions and resulted in a clearer, more comprehensive vision of my strategy.

Research supports my experience. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that teams that use written narratives for strategic discussions perform better in terms of decision quality and team engagement. Jeff Bezos famously banned PowerPoints in Amazon's executive meetings, favoring narrative memos to encourage deeper thinking and better communication.

To maximize the benefits of writing papers, here are some recommendations:

• Before diving into writing, create a detailed outline. This helps organize your thoughts and ensures a logical flow of information.
• While papers should be detailed, clarity is key. Avoid jargon and ensure that your arguments are easy to follow.
• Use data, examples, and citations to back up your points. This adds credibility and depth to your paper.
• Writing is a process. Be prepared to revise your drafts. Editing is crucial for refining your arguments and improving readability.

While written papers offer depth, presentations are indispensable for quick, impactful communication. Here’s how to make your presentations compelling:

• Structure your presentation like a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This helps maintain audience engagement.
• Use minimal text and focus on key points. Visuals such as charts, graphs, and images can effectively convey information.
• Emphasize the most important information. Use bullet points sparingly and ensure each slide has a clear purpose.
• Ask questions, use anecdotes, and encourage interaction. Engaging your with audience makes your presentation more memorable.

This is not to say that presentations are obsolete. They have their place and are effective for certain types of communication. However, for complex issues that require deep understanding and strategic thinking, writing and reading papers offer invaluable benefits.

Adopting a balanced approach has transformed the way I communicate and make decisions. By combining the brevity of presentations with the depth of written papers, I’ve found that strategies are not only well-presented but also thoroughly thought out and grounded in solid reasoning.

The past year has been a journey of learning and adaptation. Shifting from a reliance on presentations to incorporating more written papers has enriched my decision-making. As I continue to grow and face new challenges, I am confident that this approach will serve me well, fostering deeper understanding, better communication, and more informed decisions.

I encourage professionals to take the time to put their thoughts on paper. Whether it’s for internal communication or broader strategic discussions, the depth of reflection and understanding that writing offers is unparalleled. By doing so, we can all achieve greater clarity of thought and a more profound engagement with the ideas that drive our businesses forward.

Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences in the comments. How has writing influenced your strategic thinking and communication in your organization?

Nick Cover

Leading, inspiring, coaching and mentoring to create high performing teams and supply chains.