107. Why You Need to Write - Leading Organizations That Matter

Summary3 min read

Episode Overview

Podcast: Leading Organizations That Matter
Host: Rey Spadoni
Episode: 107 – Why You Need to Write
Date: May 5, 2026

In this concise solo episode, host Rey Spadoni explores the critical link between writing and thinking. Framed around the practical value of journaling and note-taking for leaders—especially in nonprofit, mission-driven spaces—Rey digs into personal insights on the importance of writing, how AI is impacting our cognitive independence, and offers tangible advice to listeners looking to lead more effectively.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Symbiosis of Writing and Thinking

Opening Reflection: Rey begins the episode by quoting Flannery O’Connor:

“I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say.” (00:28)
Takeaway: Writing is not just a means of expression—it’s a cognitive tool, essential for clarifying thoughts and making better decisions.
Core Argument:

“Writing and thinking go hand in hand.” (00:38)
Whenever you struggle with decision-making, problem-solving, or conflict resolution, Rey's advice is simple:
“Write, write, write, write.” (00:58)

Journaling: Accessible, Practical, and Powerful

Reframing Journaling:
Rey addresses the initial resistance to journaling, then reframes it as a simple act—akin to everyday note-taking:

“Once I began to think about journaling really simply as note-taking in my life, then somehow it became more comfortable, natural. And I started to do it more and more.” (03:04)
Personal Experience:
Rey shares his struggle to stick with journaling, until the realization that his extensive note-taking during meetings and content consumption was basically journaling:

“It became clearer and clearer to me over time that the process of writing down what I was hearing and processing and thinking about helped me not only to retain that information better, but also to make better sense of [it].” (03:32)
Advice for Leaders and Clients:
Rey recommends to every coach and leadership client:

“I ask them to reflect on the topics that we've discussed and to do so in writing for themselves.” (05:00)
He notes that feedback overwhelmingly points to these practices as transformational in their thinking and processing.

The Threat of AI Dependency

AI and Writing Ability:
Rey expresses concern about the increasing use of AI writing tools:

“AI is diminishing our ability to write on our own, and the long term impact is that it will also diminish our ability to think.” (02:10) He clarifies he’s not being alarmist or conspiratorial, but genuinely believes over-reliance on AI could weaken leaders’ cognitive capacity.
Call to Action:
In his own words:

“Please don't rely on AI to be your writing partner. You don't want to lose your ability to write because you don't want to lose your ability to think.” (06:06)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On the clarity writing provides:

“If you are struggling in your thinking, in your decision making, in problem solving, and trying to resolve a conflict of some type, then write, write, write, write.” (00:56)
On integrating journaling into daily leadership practice:

“I started taking notes as I was pondering something and much like the Flannery O’Connor quote, I began to become more and more facile at thinking and writing all at the same time.” (04:04)
On transitioning from scattered notes to intentional journaling:

“Instead of storing all those notes in a haphazard system scattered across different media types and locations, I began to put it all into one place, AKA journaling.” (04:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:28 – Flannery O’Connor quote; writing as self-discovery
00:56 – “Write, write, write, write” as advice for problem solving
02:10 – Concerns about AI’s effect on thinking and writing
03:04 – Redefining journaling as everyday note-taking
04:18 – Consolidating notes into a single journaling practice
05:00 – Encouraging coaching clients to reflect in writing
06:06 – Final call to avoid AI dependency in writing and thinking

Summary

This episode delivers a personal, urgent message: writing is a leadership muscle directly tied to your thinking power. By sharing his own shifting attitudes towards journaling, Rey Spadoni demystifies the practice and makes it accessible to leaders of all types, while cautioning listeners not to let technology erode their ability to think independently. If you’re seeking a simple but profound lever for greater clarity and decision-making in your organization, Rey’s advice is clear—start writing, and keep it personal.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
Foreign. Welcome to Leading Organizations that Matter, a podcast about leadership and how we find impact, meaning and joy in our work. I'm Ray Spadoni and today's topic is why you need to write. One of my all time favorite quotes is from the author Flannery o', Connor, who stated, I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say. Wow, that says it so well, so succinctly, so pointedly. Writing and thinking go hand in hand together. I'll bottom line it for you. If you are struggling in your thinking, in your decision making, in problem solving, and trying to resolve a conflict of some type, then write, write, write, write. Now if you're saying to yourself, hey, you're talking about journaling, then I would simply say, why yes I am. I've touched on this topic in the past, but it takes on some added meaning and I think importance now because of the rapid increase in the use of AI tools to help us write, which is making us all worse writers. We're becoming dependent on it and when that happens, we will be worse thinkers. I actually touched on this in episode 98 of this podcast. If I've piqued your curiosity. Now, I'm never one to rush to conclusions, especially when they feel a bit like doomsdaying or conspiracy theorizing, but I feel strongly about this. AI is diminishing our ability to write on our own, and the long term impact is that it will also diminish our ability to to think. Okay, about journaling. I myself have tried to journal many, many times in the past. It's never taken. It never sticks. But that's until recently. What caused the switch? I think it came from the realization that a significant amount of note taking that I do is really just a form of journaling. You're probably feeling that that's a statement of the obvious. But I had this realization. I take a lot of notes. And once I began to think about journaling really simply as note taking in my life, then somehow it became more comfortable, natural. And I started to do it more and more as I was doing all my note taking in meetings or when I was reading books or listening to a podcast, for example, I would accumulate all of these notes into a million different places, some digital, some paper. And it became clearer and clearer to me over time that the process of writing down what I was hearing and processing and thinking about helped me not only to retain that information better, but also to make better sense of helped me to think. So I think I just gave myself permission to start note taking when I wasn't in a meeting or consuming content of some type when I was simply thinking. I started taking notes as I was pondering something and much like the Flannery o' Connor quote, I began to become more and more facile at thinking and writing all at the same time. Instead of storing all those notes in a haphazard system scattered across different media types and locations, I began to put it all into one place, AKA journaling. I recommend this practice to every coach and client that I have. I ask them to reflect on the topics that we've discussed and to do so in writing for themselves. Nine times out of ten I'll hear feedback, sometimes down the line, sometimes way down the line, that this was a difference maker for them that the client was able to process and yes, think better because of it. So, dear listeners, I recommend that you start journaling regularly and please don't rely on AI to be your writing partner. You don't want to lose your ability to write because you don't want to lose your ability to think. Okay, I'll take the tinfoil hat off now. Have a nice day. Thanks for listening. Leaving a positive review and letting others know about this podcast will help a great deal. My mission is to help empower organizations that matter by supporting those who lead them. I offer coaching, mentoring and consulting services. You can learn more about me and my work@racepadoni.com.