Communicate & Elevate - August

Tip on communication - Encouraging Questions

Fostering an environment that encourages questions is crucial for collective growth and innovation. It invites a deeper engagement and understanding, allowing teams to uncover insights and solutions together. When we open the floor to questions, we create a culture of curiosity and collaboration, where every member feels valued and empowered to contribute.

It’s about creating a space where asking “why” and “what if” leads to new ideas and breakthroughs. By valuing inquiry, we encourage active participation and continuous improvement, building a foundation for success in any team or project.

Case study: Nokia's Cultural Change

Nokia’s journey through cultural transformation is a compelling case study in the power of effective internal communication. When the company faced significant market challenges, it recognised the need for a radical change in its corporate culture. The shift focused on fostering open communication and collaboration, which became the bedrock for innovation and adaptability. By encouraging employees to be innovative and agile, Nokia cultivated a culture of experimentation and continuous improvement. This strategic pivot was not just about adopting new technologies or processes, but about changing the mindset of its workforce to embrace change and work together towards common goals.

The company’s approach to internal communication was multifaceted. It included building and cementing key aspects of its budding culture: quality conversations, a growth mindset, and less-biased decision-making. Nokia’s solutions, such as CONNECT, GROW, and DECIDE, were rooted in the neuroscience of quality conversations, growth mindset, and breaking bias, respectively. These programs were rolled out to more than 3,500 line managers worldwide, demonstrating Nokia’s commitment to equipping its leaders with the tools to drive cultural change. The result was a more innovative and adaptive environment that was crucial for Nokia’s turnaround and subsequent growth. This case exemplifies how strategic internal communication can lead to a successful organisational transformation.

Trend: Great Interface Shift

The “Great Interface Shift” highlighted in Accenture’s Life Trends 2024 underscores a pivotal moment for leaders in the digital era. As technology rapidly evolves, leaders are tasked with navigating a landscape where interfaces become more intuitive and personalised, thanks to advancements like generative AI. This shift presents a dual challenge: embracing innovation to stay competitive while ensuring inclusivity and ethical considerations are not sidelined. Leaders must balance the acceleration of tech adoption with the responsibility to bridge the digital divide.

It means crafting strategies that upskill the workforce, involve ethical tech deployment, and maintain human-centric design principles. Ultimately, leaders who prioritise these aspects will not only drive their organisations forward but also ensure that progress benefits everyone, leaving no one behind in the wake of technological advancement.

Keylearnings from "Just Listen" by Mark Goulston

Reach Their Emotional Brain: Connect emotionally before logically.

Relational GPS: Understand people's needs and desires.

'Stealth' Acknowledgment: Listen and acknowledge without judgment.

Power Thank You and Power Apology: Use gratitude and apologies to build connections.

Empathy Jolt: Use empathy to defuse tense situations.

Be More Interested Than Interesting: Focus more on others than on yourself.

The Power of 'Hmm': Show interest and encourage others to elaborate.

Take It All the Way to 'No': Navigate through resistance by finding common ground.

The Power of 'You': Shift focus from yourself to others.

Fill in the Blanks: Let others complete your sentences to engage them.

Blogpost: UNLOCKING PRODUCTIVITY: THE GAME-CHANGER IN EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

In an era where employee disengagement is reaching new heights, businesses are constantly on the lookout for innovative strategies to boost morale and productivity. The traditional methods of fostering engagement—autonomy, purpose, and growth opportunities—are no longer sufficient. Enter gamification, a dynamic approach that infuses the workplace with the excitement and motivation often found in games. Read more here.

Insight report: Driving Productivity: Insights into technology integration and strategic adaptation

I have interviewed 10 leaders about this topic and created an insights report with the findings. If you would like to know more about it, book a call with me and I happily share the insights with you!

Have a wonderful day!

Christine