Public Work Documentation

A guide on how to stand out inside a company by effectively communicating and showcasing your work, while maintaining authenticity and building trust.

Internal Newsletter Strategy

• Create an internal newsletter for key stakeholders
  • Target the 20 most interesting/influential people in company
  • Share weekly updates in "123" format:
    • 1 personal photo from camera roll
    • 2 thoughts about the company/work
    • 3 interesting links
• Frame it as continuing previous startup habits
• Use it to build relationships and visibility with leadership

Communication Principles

• Work in public - make your efforts visible
• Present both successes and failures
  • Share what went well
  • Be open about mistakes and learnings
  • Include planned fixes for issues
• Use clear communication frameworks:
  • What happened/will happen
  • Why it happened/will happen
  • So what (implications/next steps)
• Show confidence through intelligent questions
  • Question assumptions
  • Break frames of conventional thinking
  • Ask how to accelerate timelines

Building Your Brand

• Create a distinct identity within the company
• Remove filters while staying professional
• Be honest about strengths and weaknesses
• Take action on things others avoid
• Stand out in meetings through:
  • Telling engaging stories
  • Using humor appropriately
  • Being authentic rather than bland
• Take calculated risks in communication
• Don't take yourself too seriously

Documentation Best Practices

• Control information flow through well-designed documents
• Create clear, visually appealing presentations
• Build comprehensive tracking systems
• Make information accessible and useful to others
• Become known for high-quality documentation

The key is dedicating ~10% of your time to highlighting work while maintaining authenticity and providing genuine value to the organization.