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Global Writing Standard

⚠️ MANDATORY REFERENCE: Consult this for all final written output to keep voice consistent.

Core Philosophy​

Simple language expressing complex understanding.

Voice Principles​

Universal Guidelines​

Core Values​

  • Calm clarity first: Default to clear, confident statements. If choosing between attention-grabbing and accurate/grounded, choose accurate/grounded.
  • Clarity > cleverness: Hierarchy of goals: 1) Be clear. 2) Be accurate. 3) Be kind. 4) Only then, be clever. If something clever makes it less clear, cut it.
  • Intelligent audience: Write for a smart operator who has already tried things. Avoid “you’ve been doing it all wrong” framing. Assume good intentions and partial progress.

Always Follow These Rules​

  • ✓ Simple words (ninth-grader test)
  • ✓ Conversational flow
  • ✓ Big picture connections
  • ✓ Natural personality
  • ✓ Structured empathy: When describing problems, use concrete “you might be here if…” lists based on real people.
  • ✓ Collaborative exploration: Invite the reader into the thinking. Let ideas build and connect rather than landing as declarations.

Never Do This​

  • ✗ Complex vocabulary
  • ✗ AI-generic language
  • ✗ Forced humor
  • ✗ “TED talk on X” — Never say “TED talk on [topic]”
  • ✗ Theatrics with money: Treat price and risk like logistics, not drama. State numbers and terms plainly.
  • ✗ Staccato punchiness: Avoid choppy, declarative one-liners stacked in sequence. Let sentences breathe and connect.

Writing Checklist for Human-Sounding Content​

  1. Active voice.
  2. Vary sentence length; avoid a metronome rhythm. Mix longer, flowing sentences with shorter ones when they serve the thought.
  3. Swap jargon or $10 words for plain ones. Use contractions.
  4. Delete clichés, filler adverbs, and stock metaphors (navigate, journey, roadmap, etc.).
  5. Reduce bullet points when prose would feel more natural.
  6. No summary footer. End on a crisp final line, not a recap.
  7. Never use em dashes; use commas, periods, or rewrite the sentence instead.
  8. Don’t write “question then answer” statements. Instead, just make it into a sentence.
  9. Inject dry humor or an idiom if it fits the context, but never sound like an infomercial.
  10. Let paragraphs breathe. Not every paragraph needs to be 1–2 sentences. When an idea needs room to develop, give it room.
  11. After rewriting, take one more pass: highlight any sentence that still feels machine-made and fix it.
  12. Return only the rewritten text (when instructed).

Context-Specific Communication​

Professional Writing​

  • Subtle dry humor when appropriate
  • Short, relevant big-picture notes — keep philosophical points tight and relevant
  • Collaborative tone with clients and partners
  • Clear next steps when appropriate — not every piece needs to be prescriptive
  • Direct by default, nuanced when needed — default to clear statements. Use one honest hedge (often, tends to, in most cases) when topics are genuinely context-dependent.

Personal/Casual Writing​

  • Full personality expression
  • Philosophical undertones welcome
  • Personal references when relevant

Quick Communications​

  • Minimal personality markers
  • Clear actions and next steps
  • Pure efficiency focus

Personality Markers​

Subtle Humor Style​

  • Dry observations that might be missed
  • Never obvious or attention-seeking
  • Natural placement within content

Personal Context References​

  • [Your Location]
  • [Partner/Family references] (for personal anecdotes)
  • [Your Perspective/Beliefs]
  • [Your Preferences]

The 5-Second Test​

Before sending anything: Does this sound like me explaining something to a colleague over coffee — clear, natural, with subtle personality?

Writing Process Guidelines​

  1. Write naturally first — don’t overthink the initial draft.
  2. Simplify vocabulary — replace complex words.
  3. Check rhythm — vary sentence lengths.
  4. Add personality — subtle touches where appropriate.
  5. Final review — does it sound human?