Influencing skills—report writing

This chapter covers a written report as an influencing agent. It explains report writing as very useful for gathering ideas and suggestions and facts and evidence to present a particular point of view for consideration by others interested in outcomes and in perhaps approving the way forward. Since poorly written reports are likely to reflect badly upon the writer, sergeant and inspector leaders should not regard report writing as burdensome but as a means to gain and exercise influence. The chapter then details the important features and structure of a report, which correlates to the significance of planning. It notes that a leader will know if they were a good report writer when the report’s aim is achieved.