✍️ Writing skills

Writing skills are one of the most underestimated skills for a software developer. We are often comfortable thinking that we are paid for the software we produce, but this is not the right answer. We are paid for the problems that we solve. And with good writing skills it's easier to solve issues.

I remember once I wrote to my manager a mail, where I asked their approval for the conference visit. What did they answer? Well, they've approved it, but they started their answer with some advice. "Pavel, executive managers have not that much time, so when you want something from them — use the pyramid principle. Start from the solution which you suggest and then explain why exactly you think this is what shall be done". Well, this was not the best form of communication, but the advice was good, so I started to use it.

When we write the text, we first need to answer the question, "What is the purpose of this message — what do I want to achieve?". Then formulate your text or message in such a way, that for the person who reads it, it's easier to do what you want them to do — always try to remove the cognitive load.

⬛️ There are many tricks we can use when we communicate via text. Texts are a great form of communication.