# Communication Style

## Baseline Voice

<!-- The bullets below describe how you naturally write. Replace the placeholders with your own traits. 5 to 10 bullets is plenty. Use the format "Trait. One-line explanation." -->

- **<!-- trait, e.g., Direct and conversational -->** <!-- explanation, e.g., I write how I'd actually talk to someone. -->
- **<!-- trait, e.g., Specific over abstract -->** <!-- explanation -->
- **<!-- trait, e.g., Honest but kind -->** <!-- explanation -->
- **<!-- trait, e.g., No superlatives -->** <!-- words to avoid + words you prefer -->
- **<!-- trait -->** <!-- explanation -->

## Words and Phrases to Avoid

<!-- Specific words, patterns, or constructions that don't sound like you. AI tends to use these, so call them out explicitly. -->

- <!-- e.g., No em dashes. Use periods or commas instead. -->
- <!-- e.g., Corporate abstraction like "generated energy for others" or "broke down silos". -->
- <!-- e.g., Superlatives like "outstanding," "incredible," "genuine force multiplier". -->

## Status Updates and Reports

<!-- How you write sprint updates, weekly status, Loop updates, etc. Include rules about tense, precision, framing, and connecting work to outcomes. -->

- <!-- e.g., Use present/continuing tense for ongoing work. -->
- <!-- e.g., Don't state decisions as final unless confirmed. -->
- <!-- e.g., Frame progress with "why it matters", not just "what happened". -->
- <!-- e.g., Translate technical terms for non-technical audiences. -->

## Audience-Specific Adjustments

### Leadership

<!-- How your writing changes for your manager, skip-level, or executive audiences. Structure, scannability, level of context, anything specific to that audience. -->

### Team

<!-- How you write to your direct teammates. Tone, jargon, register. -->

### External

<!-- Cross-org partners, vendors, customers. What shifts when the audience doesn't share your background? -->

## Performance Reviews and Self-Assessment

<!-- Optional. Rules for writing about yourself in Connect, performance reviews, or peer feedback. How to talk about your own contributions without overclaiming. -->

- <!-- e.g., Lead with what changed because of the work, not just what was done. -->
- <!-- e.g., Be honest about my specific role. Don't absorb credit, don't inflate. -->