10 Comments
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Andrew Fuqua's avatar

Exactly right! This article hit home for me. There were times when I lost the (right) motivation to write (to learn). And times when there was too much WIP or change-in-progress. This was so good I had to write about it! Posted it on LinkedIn just now.

Kellie Fairfax's avatar

Dear John, your insight about why writing cultures struggle in environments characterized by high reactivity, cognitive load and passivity really resonated with me. It’s easy to fall into a cycle of constant doing and reacting where no one has time or energy to think, ask questions, or process information. I appreciated your point that you can’t just flip a switch to become a writing culture; it’s about addressing the underlying busyness, optics and control issues rather than simply telling people to write more.

In my experience, making space for thoughtful, asynchronous communication and celebrating small wins (even something playful like team‑themed attire) helps lighten the cognitive load and builds momentum. It reminds me of how a team I was part of rallied around a fun motif—everyone showed up to a retro wearing Sp5der Hoodies: https://thejacketempire.com/collections/sp5der-hoodies —and it turned what could have been another meeting into a more engaged and reflective discussion. That spirit of intentionality and authenticity seems crucial to sustaining a writing culture.

Kellie Fairfax's avatar

Good question, I am also looking for the same

Velma Martinez's avatar

Love this perspective, writing really is about thinking and improving, not just producing content. I’ve found that carving out quiet time with a cup of Honduras coffee helps me reflect and give better feedback too. https://www.tinyfootprintcoffee.com/products/honduras-coffee

Emiliazia's avatar

On a creative note, if anyone’s into fashion inspired by storytelling and pop culture, feel free to check out my site <a href"https://yolojackets.co.uk/">yolojackets.uk</a>. We design jackets based on iconic movie and celebrity looks, perfect for writers and creatives who want to wear their inspiration. 😄

ljudmilazin's avatar

At a more granular level, there are clear signs of cultural failure, but each organization will show signs differently. https://quikdraw.io For some organizations, the sign may be a lack of innovation or customer focus. In other organizations, it manifests as a lack of collaboration or accountability or low productivity or an inability to develop and retain talent.

heathersnovaks's avatar

If you need a sweater in the chilly weather. So let me tell you: this Kiss Me I'm a Queen Sweater Vest https://www.texasjackets.com/product/kiss-me-im-a-queen-sweater-vest/ is your favorite this season. And it is quite popular in fashion.

JenniferBrowns's avatar

I write with a lot of enthusiasm and lately the trend is that people are taking interest in it because of the support and notably the MAJOR BASEBALL league is fairly trendy and I have also written a post on it so I am sharing one of his team outfits. And that is this Boston Red Sox Bomber Blue Satin Jacket https://www.paragonjackets.com/product/boston-red-sox-bomber-blue-satin-jacket/which you should add to your wardrobe right away.

Jason Boldt's avatar

John, what has been your experience with this while switching companies?