The Power of Working With a Professional Writer

By Lois Tuffin

Years ago, I was stunned into silence when a colleague suggested we had to 'stand on the throat' on a competitor so our business could grow. That's simply not how I operate.

My approach has always been to show how good you are and entice people to work with you. Getting out of that culture was one of the healthiest things I've ever done.

Last Friday, I received a call from a kind woman in my circle who was polishing off a cover letter for a job she REALLY wants. She wanted a favour of helping her accurately explain one aspect that she felt too modest to get right.

First, I had to explain to her that I had applied for the same job, then we got to work to give her the best shot at it.

Bringing out someone else's best

May the best woman win. That is who I am as a person outside of a killer corporate culture.

If I don’t get the job, I’ll be excited for the person who does. And I’ll keep trucking along with my clients at my own business. I’ll sleep well at night – which is the best medicine of all.

Integrity is the most important currency in today’s market. People are tired of being lied to and manipulated. They don’t want to choose sides. And they don’t want to get caught in the middle of warring factions.

The words we use and the stories we tell are powerful vehicles for doing good in the world. I am fortunate that I get to help people steer themselves along the course they wish to take.

Each project has its own personality and my job is to keep you between the curbs – in terms of grammar, logical flow, legality and the proper use of voice.

Perhaps we can work together, using your words and my insights. I love the rush of seeing someone else succeed without anyone 'standing on their throat.'

(P.S. Neither my friend nor I got an interview for that job but we are still fast friends. And it turns out the workplace was a nasty place with a high turnover rate, so we both won.)