One question the UpWrite Press staff often receives is "How can I write to satisfy my supervisors?" People go on to say, "Often after I write something, my boss marks it up for a rewrite, then the department head marks up the revised version, and our vice president marks up the version after that. By the time it returns to me for a final revision, it bears no resemblance to my original. I lose faith in my writing, or worry that management has no faith in me, and I'm confused about how to proceed."
Writing in a corporate setting can be tough. After all, the business itself is larger than any individual, and the farther your position is from the top, the more difficult it can be to have a clear view of corporate direction. It should come as no surprise, then, when supervisors (literally "over + seers") call for changes in a document. Here are some tips for coping with the experience.
- Don't panic. In the words of Henry David Thoreau, "It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things." Experience teaches that change is inevitable, and calm acceptance is best.
- Look for a common thread.
- Are the changes mainly proofreading marks? That's a relatively easy fix. Refer to a good grammar and punctuation book, or ask a coworker to check your work. (Having a proofreading buddy can both save time and result in more accuracy.)
- Are they rewrites of specific sentences or paragraphs? That's often an issue of tone. If you can read - and absorb - other examples of writing by your supervisor(s), you'll best be prepared to emulate that style.
- Are they changes in content or organization? Every business has its own standard for organizing and presenting content. If you can find memos and reports to use as templates, that can save you trouble writing new projects.
- Are you directed to start from scratch? In writing, sometimes a first draft is an exploratory draft. That's as true in a corporate setting as anywhere. Nor is it a bad thing. Your first draft may have shown your supervisor(s) that what was originally asked for isn't what's actually needed. If you're asked to start fresh, then, consider your earlier work an experiment. Experiments don't succeed or fail; they merely reveal more information. Ask for clarification about the new direction, and start again, cheerfully.
- Stay positive. Employers want to see their employees succeed. You are an investment they hope to see pay off. A directive for revision - even extensive revision - isn't about you, but instead about the project. By remaining positive and receptive, with a desire to see the company do well, you'll present yourself as part of the solution.
Remember, writing is a skill that requires practice. Getting to know a company from the inside also takes a while. It's only natural, then, that writing in a corporate setting should involve some time.
Do you have any other tips to share about writing for a supervisor? Please click the comments link below to leave your thoughts. Thanks!
Comments
One solution is for the subordinate to write an e-mail or memo asking for further direction. The more specific this can be, the better. A message that expresses supposed changes and particular areas of uncertainty gives a supervisor something to gauge and respond to. It also shows that the subordinate is positively engaged with the project, not merely blocked and frustrated. And its very existence invites a considered, written response from the supervisor, which can be referred to more than once during revision.
I've had good experience with exactly this sort of written exchange in the past, both as a subordinate and as a supervisor. Here's hoping it works well for you, also.