Internal Comms is not About Only Sharing Information or Creating Awareness

If there is one role that continues to be overlooked in the workplace today, it is internal communication. Everyone thinks they can do it. When they see expert communicators broadcast information through various channels they go, “Hey, I too can do that”, right? Wrong.

On the contrary, internal communication stands as a linchpin for success, for any organization large or small, public, or private, for-profit, or not-for-profit. Your primary ambassadors as a brand are your employees and it does not matter how perfectly you craft your external communication - get internal messaging wrong and you are positioning yourself for strategic failure from the word go.

I do not know why we in PR quote this man so much but credit to him, Bill Gates said, “Like a human being, a company has to have an internal communication mechanism, a ‘nervous system’, to coordinate its actions.” If this does not give you a light bulb moment, please stop reading and move on to your TikTok videos for nothing in this piece will.

Let me make one thing clear from the outset, Internal Communication is not merely a conduit for disseminating information, anyone can craft an email, or memo and send it to all staff. It goes beyond that. Internal communication when professionally done, serves as a catalyst for inspiring and motivating employees.

Frankly speaking, while the traditional roles of internal communication - informing, creating awareness, and educating - are undeniably important, they merely serve as the foundation and good communicators know that you must go a step further to inspire and motivate.

At its core, internal communication is about creating connections and building relationships within the organizational ecosystem. It is that nice feeling you get after engaging with content done by a professional. This perhaps is the reason why everybody feels they can do it because the results always feel quite simple.

Frankly speaking, while the traditional roles of internal communication - informing, creating awareness, and educating - are undeniably important, they merely serve as the foundation and good communicators know that you must go a step further to inspire and motivate.        

What many people miss is that before a message is done, we consider several factors and for every word we use, there is meaning, and purpose assigned to it. This is why when editing a piece of communication done by a communication expert, always seek an audience with him or her to get to understand the rationale behind that piece of communication.

Today, I seek to open your mind to go beyond ‘how communication is done’ and to make you start appreciating the ‘why’ factor. That is where the real impact is created by our messaging. Internal communication must transcend the mere dissemination of facts and figures to inspire employees to have a sense of purpose, belonging, and personal drive.

In one of my previous posts, I emphasized the number seven in the article: “Frank’s 7 and 1 Formula for Internal Communication.” Allow me now to give you seven points as to why Internal Communication is not just about blasting emails and memos just because you can.

Fostering a Shared Vision

If there is one thing that leaders grapple with is to have all team members on the same page at least when it comes to the overall vision and mission of the organization. Unfortunately, there is no single switch that can be turned on to make all employees understand the company's vision. Sending out a memo or brochure will not do it.

Effective internal communication on the other hand looks for opportunities to articulate the organization's vision, values, and goals in a compelling manner that resonates with employees. By aligning individual aspirations with the overarching mission, communication channels become pathways for inspiration, igniting a collective sense of purpose and direction. Timing of the messages here is key.

Sometimes the opportunity might present itself in a eulogy, but it will take an expert to bring it out safely without hurting certain stakeholders.

Empowering Through Engagement

The business environment today is more like a two-way traffic, you go - I come. Similarly, communication that encourages dialogue, feedback, and participation empowers employees to contribute their ideas, perspectives, and passions. When employees feel heard and valued, they are more likely to be motivated to go above and beyond in their roles, knowing that their voices matter.

Even when dealing with difficult subjects like when employees are disgruntled about a corporate action or decision, it is important to provide them with a platform to vent, without trying to justify yourself as a leader or starting a debate. Sometimes you communicate best by saying nothing at all.

Cultivating Trust and Transparency

At the heart of every internal communication, we must never lose sight of the fact that when all is said and done, we are all human with equal rights to life. Under God, none of us is superior.

With that understanding, it will be easy to encourage transparency at work which in turn breeds trust, and trust, as they say, is the bedrock of motivation. Open and honest communication builds trust between leadership and employees, creating a supportive environment where individuals feel safe to take risks, innovate, and pursue excellence. This is the environment that will make your employees go to the end of the world for you, to get it done.

Celebrating Successes and Recognizing Contributions

Internal communication serves as a platform for celebrating achievements, milestones, and successes, no matter how big or small. Recognizing employee contributions publicly reinforces their value and fosters a culture of appreciation, which, in turn, fuels motivation and inspires others to excel.

Telling Compelling Stories

This is the one thing most likely to be killed in any piece of internal communication. “Do not give us stories, go direct to the point.” Well, I will give you stories because this is what the human race has known how to do since creation. Even in business, when you give any product a good story, its value goes up tenfold. So let us tell compelling stories.

Stories have the power to captivate, connect, and inspire. Internal communicators over time master how to use relevant narratives - highlighting the journey, challenges, and triumphs of individuals and teams. We tell stories that elicit emotions and tap into the deeper motivations that drive human actions.

Communication for Continuous Learning

Education and awareness are essential components of internal communication, but they extend beyond the dissemination of information to include a culture of continuous learning and development. Providing opportunities for skill-building, growth, and personal advancement inspires employees to strive for excellence and pursue their professional aspirations.

Creating a Positive Work Environment

Would you want to look forward to going to work every single day? Now imagine if all your team members would be as eager to get to work every day - not because they have an office spouse but because they have fallen in love with the office environment. The tone, language, and manner of all internal communication significantly impact the overall work environment.

Positive, uplifting internal communication cultivates a sense of optimism, resilience, and even friendship among employees, fostering a workplace culture where enthusiasm and motivation thrive. Such a team will do anything for you!

In essence, internal communication goes beyond age-old roles, it is today a driving force for inspiration and motivation within organizations. By harnessing the power of communication businesses can cultivate a workforce that is not only informed and aware but also deeply engaged, motivated, and inspired to achieve greatness together. That therein my friends, lies the power of internal communication.

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