Leadership and Writing: 5 Reasons I Write

Not that the story need be long, but it will take a long while to make it short. – Henry David Thoreau

Words are a lens to focus one’s mind. – Ayn Rand

Who Is My Audience for Writing?

I write for myself and for leaders wanting to impact the world in a positive way. We can do things like everybody else, or we can change the strategies and patterns by considering the reverse polarities, the counterintuitive, and the radical as the new norm.

Here are five reasons that I write blog posts, books, articles, and online programs:

1. To formulate and clarify my thoughts – I think lots of things, but need to hone in on the essential decisions that will impact my life.
2. To capture what I have learned – As leaders, we learn from each experience and from each person we encounter. Some lessons learned are things to do. Some lessons learned are things not to do. In order to capture those lessons, I write them down – the act of writing creates a holding place in my memory.
3. To develop and improve systems – I am always thinking in systems and observing systems. I’m always improving my observation skills and improving my ability to see, improve, and implement improved systems for greater effectiveness.
4. To observe and improve principles to share with clients – How we function together is essential to organizational health. Instead of seeing life as a series of events, I see life as a process.
5. To rehearse my messages – Thinking about messages is different from delivering messages. The delivery needs rehearsal. The best orchestras in the world rehearse before every concert.

I’m not a writer. I’m a thought leader who writes.

Do you write? Why?

Hugh Ballou
The Transformational Leadership Strategist

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