Presentations / Teaching

Show me WHAT made YOU care?
Show then tell (Pictures, Examples, and Analogies)
Therefore, and But (Show problem first then why the solution is needed)

(via Nicky Case:)

Meettings

Leverage 1:1s

1:1s can be very effective, especially in a remote working environment to build mutual trust with peers (work or personal). Also see Ben's follow-up twitter thread on the topic.
Good questions to ask:
"what are you not telling me because you're afraid it would hurt my feelings? Tell me that.” via @Altimor

Tips on structure

Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto (article by @ameet & book) 1. Start with the answer first. 2. Group and summarize your supporting arguments. Restrict to 3 groups. 3. Logically order your supporting ideas.
Add line numbers during review for easy recall/communication. Or use apps (like Quip) that support inline commenting. Quip & Word have modes to display line numbers.

Tips on language/vocabulary

Check if your higher-order bit may interfere with the message you're conveying. You may have developed a reputation for a certain stance
The choice of words can make a difference in how a point of view is perceived. Examples are "hacks" have negative connotations, even though in many contexts it means a short-term fix or "Simplifiers". Same with "death tax" vs "estate tax", "Obama Care", "Freedom Act". This is known as Russell Conjugation or "emotive conjugation". See this twitter thread by @sriramk for similar issues in tech. Arnold Kling's The Three languages of Politics discusses a related concept in the context of politics, where the three major political groups ("Progressives", "Conservatives" and "Libertarians") speak in a codified language catered to their tribe/group - progressives with "oppressed/oppressors", conservatives with "civilization vs aggressorts", libertarians with "liberty vs coersion"

Technical Docs

Don't feel compelled to finish in one sitting. Good docs take multiple iterations to write.
What type of docs? 1. Overview of architecture and design 2. Evaluating specific components

For #2, first get alignment from stakeholders on set of prioritized criteria for decision making. Build a matrix of options for rows and criteria as columns and assign a rating 0-5 for each cell and if necessary assign a weight for each column.

Tips on editing

Have a point of view.
Read out loud or better yet have someone else (including your device's TTs functionality) read it out loud. Will surface aspects like spelling mistakes/pace/phrasing standout.
Leave room - even days, weeks, months - between draft and subsequent editing. Helps add perspective.
Make a prioritized list of points you want to convey and ensure that the word/sentence counts attributable to each of those points matches that order. (via Marc Brooker)

Tip on communicating effectively