How writing makes you a stronger leader

The takeaway: Write to lead, write to win 

There are powerful tools and mental models that can help you think more clearly, write more effectively and make better decisions. One of the best starting points is Richards Heuer’s The Psychology of Intelligence Analysis. Originally written for intelligence professionals, it offers practical strategies for challenging assumptions, avoiding bias and applying structured analytic techniques — the very skills that all thoughtful leaders need. 

You’ll also find a deeper understanding of our mental blind spots in Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, which explores the two systems of thought — fast, intuitive judgments and slower, more deliberate reasoning. When we rely too heavily on fast thinking, we fall into familiar traps like confirmation bias and the illusion of coherence. Writing is a way to slow our thinking down — to engage our more reflective, analytical selves. 

In an age when AI is taking over many low-level tasks, clear, human thinking remains one of our greatest advantages. And writing is one of the most powerful ways to exercise it.