Leadership: Learning to Be Your Own Ghostwriter

  The function of "ghostwriter" has always been controversial. 

We boomers recall the crushing disappointment we experienced when it was rumored that our liberator from Eisenhower conformity - John F. Kennedy - might not have written "Profiles in Courage." His public relations machinery did crank out that Ted Sorensen might have pitched in, but the lion's share was the hands-on work of JFK. We wanted to believe.

That was then. Later, as we were introduced to how the world of power operates we got it that ghostwriting was not only prevalent but downright necessary. What big wig had the time to research, write and edit all that material which voters, customers/clients, regulators, investors and more consume?

That acceptance, however, is in play currently.

The media made it known that Princess of Wales Kate Middleton wrote that touching announcement about her health - and that she did so quickly. (The latter resonates because this is the era of productivity and little palace time should be wasted in content-creation per se.) Yes, she bypassed the palace ghostwriters. And did a jolly fine job of it.

Also, the media made it known that following the October Hamas attack on Israel, the head of elite law firm Paul, Weiss Brad Karp also bypassed the ghostwriting machinery. He knocked out a 2,000 word commentary on antisemitism which he posted for internal consumption in the firm. 

So, here the ghostwriting line of work is again being scrutinized. Even before generative AI could put ghostwriters out of work leaders might find writing their own material a new kind of professional pleasure. The creative trance, often needed to produce engaging copy, is a delightful force field. In addition, audiences might again start to ask: Did they actually write that or did it come from the communications department? 

Meanwhile, what's in demand for ghostwriting is no longer the book. That seems so pre-digital and pre-social and pre-visual. Those whose careers depend on messaging need to be out there with videos, podcasts, slide decks and in-person presentations. 

As a communications coach I am steering clients to invest more resources, including their own time, in content-creation. A big part of that is finding their voice for 2024. Usually they have to rebrand. The search is two-fold: 1) Who am I now and 2) What value does that bring to whatever.

Limiting beliefs? Self-defeating? Stuck? Complimentary consultation with Coach Jane Genova (text/phone 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com)