Here's how you can strengthen your leadership skills in Corporate Communications for the future.

Always be experimenting with new technology that can enhance corporate communications. Right now that means AI tools. What are the AI embedded tools in your current Corp Comms "tech stack"? Make sure you're using them, testing them for a variety of use cases, and sharing your learnings with the Corp Comms team. Lead your team by role modeling the use of AI tools, and include leadership, learning, and technology goals in the annual goals for the function. Invite input from the team on those goals, both for a variety of diverse perspectives, and also for increased engagement in executing on the goals.

To strengthen your leadership skills in Corporate Communications for the future, focus on continual learning and adaptability. Embrace emerging technologies and trends that reshape how communications are delivered and received. Invest in professional development courses that enhance your strategic thinking, crisis management, and digital communication skills. Foster a culture of openness and collaboration within your team, encouraging innovation and diverse perspectives. Regularly seek feedback and mentorship to refine your approach. By staying ahead of industry changes and nurturing your team’s growth, you'll position yourself as a resilient and visionary leader.

When I started as head of Americas Marketing & Comms at engineering firm Altran, we had no regular communication with the Global Marketing Leads of the various businesses. There were monthly Global Marketing meetings organized by the CMO, but these calls were more focused on reporting progress than collaborating on upcoming opportunities. So I started a call every month to share information about content, events and other initiatives relevant to the Americas region. From the start, these calls - which were optional - were well attended. The Global Marketing Leads immediately found them helpful for cross-departmental collaboration. Beyond information sharing, they helped build a sense of team spirit, which made the work more enjoyable.

Check out Edelman's Future of Corporate Communications report and find interesting data points. For example, half of CCOs consider themselves strategic advisors to business leaders in the organization. Also, nearly 20% of CCOs' time is spent counseling the CEO on non-communications activities. The point of sharing this is that to get ahead, your skills and expertise need to expand out of communications only to other areas that impact business decisions across the organization. Study and learn as many areas of the business as possible. Also, read a ton and understand what is happening inside and outside your industry.