How We Communicate - clarity and impact

Little did I know that writing will become a new approach to communication that would - at least until now - transform my understanding of organizational clarity. At Amazon, written words create an environment where depth trumps style, and substance prevails over showmanship. This cultural cornerstone, championed by Jeff Bezos and across the organization, ensures that every voice – including those of introverts – carries equal weight. The focus shifts from presentation skills to the quality of thinking, allowing the best ideas to surface.

The architecture of clarity: writing

Amazon's communication framework operates through different flavors of written documents, each serving a different purpose in the organization's decision-making process. Important to note, you shouldn’t be alone along the process: include co-authors and reviewers that help you to advance you document and writing skills. Learning by doing and just getting started was the best advice I received during my onboarding.

Let‘s pick a few:

1. The 1-Pager serves as the rapid-deployment vehicle for focused initiatives, perfect for launching tactical projects like new feature releases, process improvements or marketing campaigns. I leverage 1-pagers if I have a go-to-market strategy and require cross-team support. Bringing people needed up to speed and asking for resources and support at the same time.

2. The 3-Pager elevates the conversation to strategic initiatives, such as launching new product categories, entering emerging markets or defining a team‘s strategy. This is my annual go-to format when shaping and articulating an account plan.

3. The 6-Pager represents an organization's most comprehensive thinking, reserved for transformative initiatives. To give you some background: the idea of AWS started with a 6-pager. Such documents dive into customer needs, competitive landscapes, and long-term implications, forcing authors to crystalize their vision with clarity and data.

The language of truth: data

At Amazon, data serves as common ground in a complex ecosystem. I witnessed firsthand how this data-driven approach transforms contentious discussions into collaborative truth-seeking missions. This facette of Amazons leadership style exemplifies the commitment to objective decision-making, encouraging high-judgment disagreements and debates where diverse perspectives clash productively.

"In our meetings, data speaks louder than titles," my first manager at AWS told me. This philosophy manifests in debates where juniors are able to challenge seniors, provided they bring compelling evidence to support their arguments. The focus on data over hierarchy creates an environment where truth-seeking trumps social cohesion, fostering innovation through constructive conflict.

The lesson for you: trying

The power of Amazon's communication culture lies not in its uniqueness but in its replicability. As you consider implementing such practices in your habits or organization, start small but think big:

• Begin with converting one recurring presentation into a written document

• Establish data as your team's primary decision-making language

• Create space for thoughtful disagreement, emphasizing evidence over authority

• Champion inclusive communication that value substance over style

Let’s wrap it up.

Remember, the goal isn't to replicate Amazon's culture of writing documents. Rather applying selected principles to your context and give it a try. The shift from presentations to narratives, from opinions to data, and from harmony to productive discord might feel uncomfortable initially. However, the resulting clarity, depth, and inclusivity will transform how your team thinks, communicates, and executes.