[rabidrat]

How do you get people to read things? I've also written plenty into the void, and have no idea how to get people to actually read things (without being a jerk about it, which is not the culture I want to shape).

[stronglikedan]

While I don't make people read things, but if the answer is in something that they should have already read, I do use their questions as a teachable moment. Instead of just giving them the answer, I tell them where to find it. Usually with a friendly note indicating that the docs are usually the quickest way to get an answer.

The old teach-a-man-to-fish adage, if you will. Some people never learn, but I'm still not unfriendly towards them. Although, I do start to silently de-prioritize their questions over time. Most people do learn though, and they're the ones that start asking for clarifications instead of complete answers.

[jefftk]

Things I've found useful:

* Use a platform where it's very easy for people to give feedback. I've used Google Docs and Quip.

* Write documents when there's real disagreement about how something should work.

* Ask specific people for feedback on your documents.

* Ask other people to write things, read what they write, and leave good comments.

* Have a regularly scheduled meeting for reviewing team documents to get feedback. Anyone can sign up with a doc they want reviewed.

[edraferi]

Also:

* Write clearly & concisely

* Use good headers and provide a table of contents

Here are some useful resources for writing better:

https://www.plainlanguage.gov/

http://www.hemingwayapp.com/