An order is merely a suggestion backed up by a penalty for failing to comply. You always have the "option" of disobeying orders. The difference between phrasing things as suggestions instead of orders is you sound like someone people want to work with instead of someone who needs to "check your ego at the door".

I disagree. If someone says they would prefer I take notes, I will say "no thanks, it gets in the way of my listening." If they say "you must take notes - it's part of the job". I will do it, and suffer the extra brain-load (possibly while looking for a new job).

If someone means "you must" and says "you might think about", then it's just weak. It frustrates everyone.

I agree that it changes the meaning, but I think it changes it for the better. I mean, if you can honestly do your job and never ask this guy the same question twice without taking notes, then it really is a suggestion. If he's trying to solve the problem of people asking him things twice, then there's no obvious problem with you not taking notes if you still meet that requirement.

"You might think about" is weak. "I'll be impressed" is pretty clear. Impressing your boss is part of your job.

What's ambiguous about "please bring a pen and paper any time you meet with me"?

It's softened by "I've found note taking to be fruitful." Perhaps that's true for the author. I have found it to be a distraction.

If you're going to give me arbitrary orders, do it. Don't try to soften it with some meaningless explanation.