In this episode, hosts Merv Jersak and Tim Jerome look at developing writing skills, choosing the right communication tools, and mastering techniques for professional presentations. They also discuss how to navigate emotional nuances in written communication and ensure the message is suitable for the audience. Gain valuable insights to enhance your project delivery messaging and learn how to communicate with clarity and impact. Don't forget to subscribe!

Main Take-Aways

Project managers must develop their writing skills in terms of the communication vehicles chosen, tone and/or formality used, techniques to be mastered. Topics covered in this episode:

• choosing the right tools, tone, and style for written communication
• cautions when using texting or instant messaging
• crafting impactful presentations
• mastering the whiteboard to support our communications
• the process of technical writing
• handling emotional/critical messaging
• selecting an appropriate writing style for your audience

Show Notes

Today’s Project Managers Coffee Chat: Mastering Written Communication in Tools, Tone, and Style

00:49 The importance of developing writing skills for project managers in all of the communication vehicles that you use to convey your messages: formal memoranda, emails, texts, presentations, whiteboarding, etc.

01:24 Choosing the right communication tools should involve transparency with regard to the tools that are chosen.

02:11 Choosing the right tone and style for written communication – formal vs. casual. Consider your audience and adhere to organizational standards when planning your communication strategy for the project.

04:30 Texting and IMs (Instant Messaging) are useful for certain types of project messaging; however, understand that they are not secure and typically do not become part of the project record.

06:31 Crafting impactful presentations involves a judicious selection of verbiage and graphics/images. Supporting detail can be relegated to the back of the slide deck. Remember that the slide are there to support you; you are not there to support your slides.

09:47 Illustrating graphically on a whiteboard when in detailed meeting discussions or brainstorming sessions is often superior to attempting to explain concepts through oral discussions alone. You as project management should master this powerful technique.

11:44 A summary description of technical writing – that is, the process of writing well when communicating on a project. As project managers you must develop the skill of weaving an effective opening, body, and conclusion in your written communications.

14:43 The ability to handle emotional and or critical communications – both giving and receiving – is an important aspect of our writing skills.

17:19 Consider removing the word “criticism” from your vocabulary.

18:55 Selecting an appropriate writing style for the audience you’re addressing is an important PM skill. Put yourself in the reader’s place as you prepare your written content for their consumption.