BONUS The Power of Handwritten Letters for Leaders | Amy Daughters

BONUS: The Power of Handwritten Letters for Leaders With Amy Daughters

In this BONUS episode, we explore the transformative power of handwritten letters with author Amy Daughters. In her book, Dear Dana, Amy shares her remarkable journey of reconnecting with hundreds of people through the lost art of letter writing and reveals how leaders can use this simple yet profound tool to build deeper connections, foster engagement, and create lasting impact in their organizations.

The Genesis of a Letter-Writing Mission

"I was minding my own business, just doing my thing, and I get on Facebook one day in 2014, very innocently, like we all do, and I had a memory of a friend that I'd worked with at a summer camp here in Texas 35 years ago."

Amy's journey began with a simple Facebook search for an old camp friend named Dana. After reconnecting online, Amy discovered that Dana's young son was battling cancer. Initially just following their story from a distance, Amy felt compelled to start sending handwritten letters to Dana and her son during their hospital stays. When Dana's son tragically passed away at age 15, Amy continued writing to Dana, sending letters to her husband's law office despite feeling it might be irrational. Five months later, she received a ten-page handwritten response from Dana, sparking a two-year correspondence that changed both of their lives. This powerful connection ultimately inspired Amy to write letters to all 580 of her Facebook friends in a remarkable social experiment that transformed her perspective on human relationships.

The Power of Human Connection

"We were relating to each other as simple human beings. I didn't know how she voted, she didn't know how I voted... I didn't know what her religious views were. I didn't know what she thought about any kind of social issues."

What began as a simple act of kindness evolved into a profound lesson in human connection. Amy describes how her letter-writing created a unique space where people could connect authentically without the filters and divisions of social media or modern digital communication. The letters fostered relationships based purely on shared humanity rather than political views, religious beliefs, or social stances. This experiment changed Amy herself as much as it impacted recipients, giving her a deeper appreciation for the unique individuals in her life and helping her see beyond labels to the person beneath. For leaders, this highlights how communication tools that prioritize personal connection can transcend workplace divisions and build genuine relationships.

Creating Lasting Impact with Handwritten Notes

"When someone receives a handwritten item from you, I'm going to immediately realize that you took the time and the effort. And the higher up on the food chain you are, it's even better to do this for me."

The most common feedback Amy received from her letter recipients was that they would treasure her letters for life. Many even framed her notes or displayed them prominently in their workspaces. Amy explains that handwritten communication carries profound emotional weight in our digital age precisely because it's become so rare. When a leader takes the time to write a personal note, it signals to the recipient that they are genuinely valued and important enough to warrant the time, effort, and personal touch required. This simple act creates a lasting memento of appreciation that employees often preserve and display proudly. Amy observes that marketing companies spend significant resources attempting to mimic the impact of authentic handwritten communication, underscoring its unique power.

The Two-Way Benefit of Letter Writing

"The most changed person from all this was me. It changed who I was because I was grateful for all these people who showed up in my life... It made me look at everything in my life differently."

Writing letters transforms not only the recipient but also the writer. Amy emphasizes that leaders who adopt this practice will experience personal growth and changed perspectives. The physical act of handwriting slows down thinking, creating space for reflection and deeper consideration that rapid digital communication doesn't allow. This meditative quality helps leaders appreciate team members more fully, connect with their own humanity, and approach relationships with greater empathy and gratitude. Amy found that writing letters made her look outward more thoughtfully and inward more honestly, providing benefits beyond what she initially expected. For leaders, this practice can become a valuable form of mindfulness that strengthens their emotional intelligence and relationship-building capacity.

Vulnerability as Leadership Strength

"The handwritten letter is an expression of vulnerability... Your handwriting is something that very few people see."

In a business world that increasingly values authentic leadership, handwritten notes create a natural opportunity for vulnerability. Amy points out that sharing your imperfect handwriting - something rarely revealed in professional settings - is itself an act of openness. This vulnerability builds trust and demonstrates confidence, showing that you're secure enough to present your unfiltered self. Unlike polished digital communications, handwritten notes can't be perfected or edited, making them inherently more human and relatable. For leaders looking to create psychological safety on their teams and model healthy vulnerability, handwritten notes offer a meaningful and accessible approach that complements other leadership practices.

Practical Steps for Leaders: Connecting With Your Team

"Trust your human side... commit to one note a week, do it in the morning... it doesn't need to be long."

Amy offers practical advice for leaders interested in implementing handwritten notes in their practice:

• Start with a manageable commitment of one note per week

• Write notes in the morning before the day gets busy

• Keep messages brief - even just 2-3 sincere sentences make an impact

• Don't overthink it or worry about perfect handwriting

• Use simple note cards rather than elaborate stationery

• Focus on being genuine rather than eloquent

• Write without expectation of response

Oh, and here is a bonus tip: remember how hard it is to communicate the vision for a change or a product? Try doing it with hand-written notes, and see how that impacts your next big project! 

The most significant barrier is simply getting started. Amy encourages leaders to push through any initial discomfort, knowing that the impact of this simple practice far outweighs the minor effort required.

About Amy Daughters

Amy has a remarkable ability to inspire and connect with audiences, and her work centers around revitalizing human connections in our increasingly digital age. She achieves this by rekindling the age-old art of handwritten letters, infusing them with wit and humor to illuminate the path to profound connections, even in the unlikeliest corners. Her books, such as "Dear Dana" and "You Cannot Mess This Up," have touched the hearts of many, inspiring vulnerability and genuine kinship. Critical characteristics of great leaders.

You can link with Amy Daughters on her website.