Joe Stampone

This is at the heart of an idea called Kidlin’s Law (origin unknown):

“If you can write down a problem clearly, you’ve already solved half of it.”

Writing is a powerful tool for problem-solving, because writing is thinking. You cannot write clearly if you aren’t thinking clearly.

In a professional context, writing forces you to simplify. Break a

"There are two kinds of forecasters: those who don't know, and those who don't know they don't know."

- Howard Marks

"Distance and time are the two wedges that separate relationships.

When it really matters, get in the car (or on the plane) and meet them face-to-face.

When you want it to last, don't wait to talk about it. Solve it now before the gap becomes too wide."

David Foster Wallace on thinking:

“Learning how to think really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience.”

"We assume that the more arguments we give, the better our case. In reality, our weakest arguments dilute the strongest. Generally, you’ll only be as convincing as your worst point, so instead of making as many arguments as you can, make only the best."

Cultivate an environment of respectful disagreement.

Your longevity in business is determined by the amount of disagreement you can foster.

The highest functioning people and teams don't hide from disagreement—they encourage it. Respectful disagreement is an act of love that makes the whole greater than the sum of the parts.

When people feel safe to

Writing is the process by which you realize that you do not understand what you are talking about.