Mandy Brown, on two modes of thinking and how we should all try to practice both to be useful to our colleagues:
“Talkers need to recognize that not everyone loves to think out loud, and that giving space for writing is part of what it means to make use of the best brains around you. Writers need to remember that writing isn’t some perfected ideal of thinking and that making space for the messy, chaotic, and improvisational work of talking things out is often exactly what a team needs to create change. Whichever mode you prefer, it’s not feasible to abstain from the other; doing good, collaborative work requires that you practice both modes.”
Her post really reasonated with me as I feel as though I’m a writer in a talker-leaning organization currently. It was a good reminder for me to practice more of the talking side of things but also – I hope – a reminder to my colleagues about the usefulness of writing. I’ve sent it to my team.