I had lunch with the staff of one of my old companies…
““I had lunch with the staff of one of my old companies once. They were all people with whom I had worked except one particular girl who was new to the department. She said that she felt she had known me for a long time although we had never met. She said that they were still following the policies and procedures I had written way back then. Your writing, it appears, will survive long after you’re gone.” –Ken Puddicombe.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Well‑crafted policies and procedures persist beyond the author, influencing future teams even without personal interaction.
In simple terms: Good writing outlives its writer.
Key Takeaway
Create clear, lasting documentation.
Themes
legacy
documentation
influence
continuity
Mood
thoughtful
pragmatic
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- new hires
- policy reviews
- process audits
- team onboarding
Key Concepts
policy design
knowledge transfer
organizational memory
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a document timeless?
- When should you update legacy policies?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on old documents can hinder innovation.