Engaging Internal Comms

Understanding Ego in the Workplace: Ego is a term that frequently carries a negative connotation, conjuring images of arrogance and self-centredness. However, in this episode, we challenge this perception by dissecting the multifaceted role of ego in communication. At its core, ego can be seen as our sense of self-importance and identity, and it's not inherently negative. In fact, a healthy ego can contribute to confidence and assertiveness.

Persuasion is often seen as a double-edged sword, capable of both influence and manipulation. In this episode of our podcast, we grapple with the ethical dimensions of persuasive communication. It's fascinating to consider how the nuances of argument, emotion, and character shape our messages and actions. In the journey of aligning employees with a company's vision, understanding the true essence of persuasion is key.

We're delving deep into the world of AI once again on the podcast! This time, we're exploring the role of AI in internal communications. It's not just about content generation, it's also about delivery. AI can ensure that the right content reaches the right audience at the right time. An often-overlooked aspect, but crucial nonetheless! We use the analogy of AI as the plumbing that delivers content, while humans or AI create the content. This episode will illuminate how AI can be a powerful tool in shaping and delivering internal communications.

Curious about the drivers behind employee turnover? It's not just about the salary. Join us as we explore both financial and non-financial drivers, and the role of line managers in preventing the challenges of retention, turnover, and absenteeism in organisations. Our guest, Douglas Brown, provides insights and strategies for internal communicators and employee engagement professionals on how to create a more engaged and committed workforce.

An issue that has risen in prominence due to recent legislation changes, is the pay gap, particularly between genders, and its impact on employee engagement and internal communications. Michelle Gyimah, based in Spain, specialises in helping organisations improve conversations with employees about pay and pay gap issues. The episode also explores how organisations are using pay gap reporting to communicate their value as an employer and address the pay gap.

This is a bonus episode about the hero's journey where we share a full show from our friends at "Infernal Communication". This is from Infernal Communication's 2nd season, where they take a deeper look at the wild little fires communicators have to put out every day. Their hosts, Lottie Bazley and Brian Tomlinson of Staffbase, bring together experts, authors and even a former private eye – for fresh perspectives that will soothe the burn of your latest communication breakdown.

Get ready to explore the intriguing correlation between espionage and internal communications with a retired spy. JJ Brun, who has applied his espionage skills to the business world, shares how the ability to build rapport, communicate effectively, and establish strong relationships can enhance leadership and communication. Together we provide insights into the unexplored world of espionage and its application in business, emphasising the value of awareness and effective communication.

In this episode, we explore the growing importance of social purpose within organisations. We explore how it manifests, its business benefits, and how to authentically embody it. This is of importance to employees of all generations, not just the younger ones, who are seeking to work for organisations with a strong social purpose. The episode aims to provide insights on how to build, communicate, and align an organisation's culture with its social purpose.

Ever wondered how to build an effective internal communications team from scratch? Meet Emily Hecker, the author of "Me, Myself, and IC: A Guide to Building Internal Communications as a Team of One." Emily shares her expertise in building internal communications teams from scratch, offering tips on resourcefulness, credibility, and trust. The episode provides listeners with foundational tips on becoming a successful internal communicator, even with limited resources.

We discuss workplace culture with Eric Stone and discuss his book about improving organisational culture. The interview explores misconceptions about workplace culture, and explores five factors to improve it. Eric introduces the hourglass model for translating and sharing strategy and culture within an organisation. Eric's insights are based on his extensive corporate experience. This episode is part of a series featuring authors discussing their recently published books.

Sustainability is a topic that should not be approached solely from a compliance perspective. It's not just about ticking boxes or meeting the bare minimum requirements. Similar to health and safety, organisations should engage people on a human level when it comes to sustainability. In this episode, our guest emphasised the importance of connecting with people's values and aspirations when communicating sustainability. Many individuals genuinely care about the well-being of the planet, and tapping into this sentiment can create a more engaged and committed workforce.

Intrinsic motivation is the drive that comes from within. It's about doing something because it's personally rewarding, rather than for some external reward. In today's knowledge economy, intrinsic motivation is more powerful than extrinsic motivation when it comes to influencing behaviour and performance. This episode explores intrinsic motivation and its measurement, with the goal of helping individual managers and organisations better motivate their employees.

Psychological safety is a term that many organisations are familiar with, but few fully comprehend its depth and significance. It is more than just a buzzword; it is a crucial element that can make or break an organisation's culture. Our guest expert, with his extensive experience in the mergers and acquisitions industry, shed light on this concept, explaining how it plays a pivotal role in successful organisational integration.

In this episode, we explore the findings of recent IoIC Index 2023 research with its authors. The research explores the relationship between internal communications and employee engagement and reveals what employees think about IC. The interview covers the background, findings, and how listeners can use the report in their organisations. The discussion contains valuable evidence practical advice for improving internal communications.

In this episode, we focus on the misalignment between strategy, culture, and customer experience within organisations. We emphasise the importance of addressing this disconnect and highlight the challenges it can cause. We find out that aligning these issues can provide the ultimate competitive edge by reshaping your strategy, transforming your culture and prioritising your customers and clients.

Our guest is a Formula One industry expert who discusses the challenges of internal communication and employee engagement in high performance teams. We explore how Formula One teams, despite employing thousands of people, face routine communication challenges like any other organisation. However, what sets them apart is their relentless focus on performance and ensuring that everyone understands their role in driving success. The interview uncovers valuable lessons that can be applied to internal communication practices in other industries.

In this episode, we address the issue of burnout and its impact on turnover and recruitment. These are being driven by the challenges organisations face such as the aftermath of the pandemic, cost of living issues, energy shortages, and climate problems. We explore the importance of helping colleagues reconnect with their sense of identity, vocational calling, and finding joy and fulfilment in their work. Our guest, who has experience in a healthcare setting, shares insights that can be applied to any sector.

This is a bonus episode of the podcast recorded at the "Unite 23" Employee Experience Conference in London on 13th and 14th September 2023 and hosted by Unily. The episode includes my reflections on the conference, some clips from the keynotes delivered by Stephen Fry and Steven Bartlett, and some brief conversations with other delegates and the hosts at the conference.

With our guests, we discuss the challenges organisations face in implementing sustainability practices and the importance of engagement and communication in driving behaviour change. We emphasise the need for employees to be motivated by conviction rather than just compliance with legislation. The episode aims to provide insights and strategies for organisations to effectively address sustainability and engage employees in the process.

With our guest, we explore the concept of brand advocacy and its significance in marketing strategies. We emphasise the role of employees as brand advocates and how they can promote the brand through their social networks and interactions. The conversation raises the question of whether organisations should enable employees to talk about the brand in a coordinated manner without being manipulative. The interview aims to explore the relationship between employee engagement, brand advocacy, internal and external marketing, and internal communications in creating a group of employees who actively and positively promote the brand.