Meaningful conversations | S5 E21

This is the final episode of the Engaging Internal Comms podcast for the foreseeable future. I've decided to end the show as part of a simplification strategy for my professional life. Thank you to all of the guests who have been part of the show and have shared their inspirational ideas with our listeners. All 143 episodes will remain live and will hopefully provide inspiration and information for listeners in the future. Take care and thank you.

In this episode we delve into the concept of unblocking organisations. Our guest discusses his book, "Unblock: Clear the Way for Results and Develop a Thriving Organization." The conversation explores six key blockers: strategy, steering, decisions, ownership, teamwork, and meetings. Our guest offers practical insights on overcoming these challenges, emphasising clarity, adaptability, and empowerment to foster agile and responsive organisations.

When considering human centric change, the link between change, communication, and employee engagement is critical. For any change to be successful, employees need to understand the rationale, expectations, and implementation process. Effective communication fosters engagement by creating transparent feedback channels, making employees feel valued. When employees are engaged, they are more likely to embrace and adapt to changes, leading to higher morale and productivity.

We explore the critical role of writing skills in internal communications and employee engagement, especially amidst the rise of social media and AI. We cover the importance of clear, effective writing for impact in professional settings. The interview identifies common writing challenges and offers strategies for improvement, including audience empathy and regular practice.

Host Craig Smith speaks with Valerie Di Maria, a seasoned communications and marketing leader and executive coach. Valerie shares her expertise on enhancing leaders' communication skills through presence, presentation, and persuasion. The discussion highlights the importance of engaging audiences, making explicit asks, and fostering dialogue.

“Welcome Everything” – a simple yet profound principle discussed in my latest podcast episode with Gabe DeRita. It’s about staying present with our experiences without being overwhelmed by them. We explore how this and other principles can enhance our workplace relationships. Tune in to learn how to remain in the observer seat, allowing more choices and less reactive behaviours and authentic communications.

In this episode, guest Mary Barnes stresses linking change management and Internal comms and the importance of "calming the chaos" that often accompanies organisational change. She discusses how new leaders sometimes implement structural changes merely to leave their mark, causing confusion and disruption. Instead, she advocates for a more thoughtful approach that prioritises stability, allowing teams to adapt without constant upheaval. It's a compelling perspective on how to manage change without causing unnecessary disruption and stress among employees.

Kyle Coon is a professional adventure athlete and Paralympian. Kyle's journey is truly inspiring—he overcame vision loss due to retinoblastoma to become a triathlete competing on the world stage. One key takeaway? He emphasised the power of meaningful conversations, not just in personal life but also in professional settings. In an age overshadowed by technology, his insights remind us that effective communication is fundamental to understanding and collaboration.

We explore the topic of disability inclusion in the workforce with David D’Arcangelo, a disability policy expert and president of Arc Angel Communications. David shares his personal journey of being blind and discusses the structural and societal barriers that hinder employment for people with disabilities. He advocates for modernising programmes, mentoring, and inclusive hiring practices to maximise the potential of disabled employees. The conversation highlights the broader benefits of disability inclusion, emphasising its positive impact on organisational engagement, diversity, and innovation.

Meet Pat Taggart, a documentary filmmaker specialising in corporate video storytelling. Together we explored the transformative role of video in internal communications. The discussion covers the evolution of video technology, the importance of authenticity, and the shift towards more organic content facilitated by smartphones. We also explore the benefits of enabling comments on internal videos to foster engagement and the pitfalls of overly scripted content.