“Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.”
- Benjamin Franklin, memorialized on a paper weight on my desk, a gift from my sister
“It doesn’t matter what I believe, it only matters what I can prove…”
- Lt. Danny Kafee (Tom Cruise), in the movie, “A Few Good Men”
Spoiler alert, as Jo Galloway (Demi Moore) knew, it mattered a lot what Kaffee believed, just as it does with anyone who is tasked with selling a good or service for a living. Strong belief, and the ability to convey it, reduces the burden of proof, particularly if we’re advocating for a cause that isn’t just a Widget A versus Widget B consideration.
There are two trends worth considering for difference makers; facts and the ability to write convincingly.
In the first, we are in a time that seems dominated by the predominance of “facts” and “fact checkers.” However, in a time where anyone can be a publisher or producer, and when editorial creeps into the news pages or the TV news stories, the “facts” ain’t always facts and the people checking them rarely are motivated to simply validate what is, in fact, factual.
In the second, we have to consider the severe illness and impending death of the well-written business communication. Mark Twain famously said, “If I’d had more time, I’d have written a shorter letter.” I’m still called upon to advise Clients on hires and development of talent, and I still require anyone they’re considering to write me either a business letter or a hand-written note with two purposes. First, they have to tell me why they’re the right person to hire, and second, they have to tell me what we’d lose out on by hiring someone else.
PS – E-mail is the opposite of well-written business communication in 87.6% of cases. (And, as Larry the Cable Guy reminds us, 42.7% of statistics are made up on the spot – back to “facts” in point number one…)
When we believe, and when we can get down on paper (ok, ok or a screen – ugh!) why what we believe matters, we are that much closer to making a difference.
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