The chapter discusses the speaker's experience in extracting compelling narratives from individuals with great ideas, emphasizing the importance of helping others articulate their achievements in storytelling formats. It touches on challenges like maintaining reader engagement and avoiding narrative overload, drawing insights from fiction writing practices. The conversation also delves into the significance of focusing on a narrow scope and attention to detail in crafting compelling stories.
Writing is thinking, which means it’s like lighter fluid for business growth.
Brie has played major roles at writing-rich companies like Stripe, and her expertise on writing-first culture is now used by giants like Amazon and Basecamp.
As she says: “Reality has a surprising amount of detail.” Writing illuminates all the interesting details worth pursuing. And as a result, companies who prioritize writing operate with impressive speed, intention, and rigor.
In this episode, Brie shares years of hard-won wisdom to expose how great writing sets companies apart. She explores the balance of writing vs. taking action; she breaks down the editing process better than a modern-day Maxwell Perkins; and she sheds light on the secret to great writing: your zone of obsession.
If you want to learn how to do the best writing of your life, and grow your company while you’re at it, this episode is for you.