Why Writing Skills Matter More Than Ever in Today’s Business World in Asia

When I first started coaching senior leaders across Asia – from Singapore to Seoul, from Jakarta to Tokyo – I was struck by something unexpected. It wasn’t always strategic thinking or financial acumen holding them back. More often, it was something deceptively simple: writing.

Yes, writing.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the ability to communicate clearly in writing is no longer a “nice to have”. It’s essential. As an executive coach, I’ve seen firsthand how writing can be the difference between closing a deal and losing one, between inspiring a team and confusing them.

Take my client, Mr. Tan, the CEO of a logistics firm in Malaysia. He was brilliant in person – charismatic, confident, quick-thinking. But when it came to writing board updates or investor emails, things fell apart. His writing was long-winded and vague, and it diluted the strength of his leadership voice. “I hate writing”, he once told me, laughing. “I get writer’s block just opening a blank Word document.”

We worked together to simplify his messages, focus on key outcomes, and use stories instead of jargon. One day, after sending out a short, powerful memo on his company’s digital transformation plans, he received five personal replies from board members – something that had never happened before. “I didn’t know words could have that kind of impact,” he told me.

Writing Shapes Leadership

Your writing is your voice when you’re not in the room. Whether you’re sharing your vision in a strategy document, giving feedback via email, or presenting a proposal to overseas partners, your written words speak for you.

A CFO client in Bangkok shared a powerful insight: “I used to think writing was admin work. Now I see it as leadership in action.”

Well-written communication builds trust, establishes credibility, and creates alignment. Poor writing, on the other hand, can lead to costly misunderstandings – especially in Asian companies where face-saving, indirect language, and cross-cultural sensitivities add extra layers of complexity.

The Writer’s Block Struggle Is Real (And Solvable)

Nearly every leader I coach faces writer’s block at some point. You’re not alone. The good news? There are ways to overcome it. Here are 7 techniques I often recommend to my clients:

1. Freewriting: Set a timer for 10 minutes and write without editing. Get the ideas out – clean it up later.

2. Change the scenery: A walk around the block or switching to a café can reset your brain. My client in Tokyo writes her monthly CEO letter from a garden bench!

3. Break it down: Don’t aim to “write the report.” Aim to “write the first 3 bullet points.”

4. Start with questions: Try this: “What’s the one message I want to leave them with?”

5. Speak it aloud: Record yourself explaining your idea, then transcribe it. This works especially well for leaders who think better on their feet.

6. Read for inspiration: Pick up a well-written business memo or article and use it as a model.

7. Permission to be messy: The first draft doesn’t need to be brilliant. It just needs to exist.

In the end, writing is not just about words. It’s about clarity, influence, and leadership. In the Asian business landscape – where communication often needs to bridge cultures, generations, and hierarchies – strong writing gives you a distinct edge.

As I often remind my clients: “If you can write it clearly, you’ve already begun to lead.”