In British professional culture, what is written down is real and what is not written down is questionable. A verbal agreement carries far less weight than a documented one. A decision discussed but not minuted has uncertain status. A performance issue raised in conversation but not formally recorded has limited institutional force.
If you want something to count, put it in writing. Meeting minutes, formal correspondence, written confirmations, documented procedures—these create the institutional reality that British workplaces operate within. The phrase “I’ll confirm in writing” signals the move from informal discussion to real commitment. Maintain a clear paper trail for important decisions and agreements. If it is not documented, be prepared for people to act as though it did not happen.
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