Almost everything we do at work involves written communication, and one of the best ways to get better at it is to read more. Read fiction, read poetry, read newspapers, read magazines, read comic books, and read science-fiction (especially read science-fiction.)
But also read books about what we do for work. These are some of my favourites:
How Not To Plan: 66 Ways To Screw It Up by APG and Les Binet is a book I wish I had read way, way earlier in my career. Each chapter is short (like 5 pages short) and breaks down a single concept of strategy and planning in the form of an easy explanation, a “2-minute checklist” and a case study so you can see what they’re talking about.
The Choice Factory by Richard Shotton is a lot like How Not To Plan in that it has short chapters, This time though it’s about different behavioural biases, and how we can use those in communications to nudge our audiences in a particular direction. I go back to it often. And if you can’t be bothered to read the whole thing, the research cards on the CogLode site are like the the TL;DR of the book.
Rory Sutherland’s Alchemy is a collection of his own personal thoughts about bringing behavioural insights to life across campaigns and projects. Listening to him speak is an absolute delight. Here he is on the topic of “Perspective Is Everything.” And here he is on why we should sweat the small stuff when it comes to solving problems.
Everything I Know About Life I Learned From Powerpoint by Russell Davies will make you better at your job. It’s about his experience learning how to use powerpoint, and how slides can be such an amazing tool to communicate if used correctly. As one reviewer described it, “it’s like a love letter to language.”
Let’s Get Real Or Let’s Not Play by Stephen Covey and Mahan Khasla isn’t the most fun of these books to read, but’s probably the most valuable. I read it years ago, and it gave me a better understand of how sales works, and how to relate better to potential clients. I’m probably due to re-read it.
Bonus: Blindsight by Peter Watts is probably one of the best pieces of Science-Fiction ever written. Hidden within it is an amazing lesson about human behaviour based on biology and evolution that will make you better at being a marketer. It’s also got scientifically feasible vampires in space.