I was raised by a lawyer, which means I had “get it in writing” drilled into me as a kid.

So, I had the great fortune—or misfortune, depending on how you look at it!—to be raised by a lawyer. 

My dad was really enthusiastic about being a lawyer. Example: pretty much every morning over breakfast, as I was spooning Cheerios into my mouth, he was spoon-feeding me important lawyerly lessons. 

I didn’t realize until years later just how much these stuck with me. 

One of the best? “Get it in writing!” 

And he was so right about this. There are any number of good reasons for documenting things at work. First of all, very few of us have perfect memories, and taking quick notes can be invaluable as reference points in the future. 

Also, documentation deescalates. As in, a written record will help resolve conflicts and disagreements about who said what and who was supposed to do what. 

Here are three specific examples of things I always put in writing, with Dad’s voice echoing in my head!

1. Performance Conversations. Whenever you have a chat with someone about their performance at work—even if it’s not scheduled, just a fly-by—follow it up with an email (and bcc yourself and save it into that person’s folder). 

2. Important Phone Calls. Had a conversation with a client? Or a conference call or group zoom resulted in action items? Get that summary to everyone involved (including you!) as soon as you hang up. 

3. Out-of-Office Summaries. Got a conference or vacation coming up? Gonna be out of the office for a few days? Send your team a brief message summarizing their responsibilities in your absence. They’ll thank you for the clarity!

As you go through your week, pay attention to anything that would be helpful to get in writing.

About The Author

Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense. 

Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.