If you don’t want your social and environmental efforts to get ignored by employees, then you should be be focussing on your internal messaging and engagement strategy.
Consider Jackson, a manager who recently introduced a new company sustainability policy without much explanation. She notices confusion and resistance among her team. This is “ineffective communication” – a message not conveyed properly. Meanwhile, her friend Tom, also a manager at another company, plans an employee engagement program with clear, detailed communication and gets enthusiastic participation. Jackson and Tom face different outcomes due to their communication strategies.
Think about a time when you introduced a change in your company. How did your employees react? Now, remember an initiative where you communicated effectively – perhaps a team-building activity or a new project launch. Even though it required effort, did it feel different because your team was on board?
Not just sustainability campaigns, but other events like policy changes, budget cuts, or management shifts feel disruptive and challenging to handle. Yet, even these situations can foster growth if approached with the right communication strategy. After initial resistance, Jane might realize that transparent communication about her new policy could turn it into a positive change.
When managers choose to engage employees effectively, like Tom’s program or detailed project updates, they give their initiatives a purpose. Tom’s regular updates are not just messages; they are steps toward a cohesive goal. This makes the challenging parts easier to bear and often leaves employees feeling valued and motivated.
“Effective communication is the key to successful leadership.” – Mary Kelly
Reflect on your leadership style. Have you ever felt proud after successfully implementing a challenging initiative? Or satisfied after seeing your team’s productivity rise through effective communication? These experiences of successful messaging often lead to increased morale, enhanced productivity, and a deeper sense of team unity.
But what about ineffective communication? While it may seem purely negative, even these instances can lead to improvement if we choose to learn from them. Jackson, after noticing the initial resistance, might discover a more transparent and inclusive way to communicate future sustainability policies. Her ineffective communication becomes a lesson for better practices.
The key lies in our approach. Renowned leaders understand that even in challenging situations, clear and effective communication can transform outcomes. This choice can turn even potential setbacks into opportunities for growth and unity.
How to develop effective internal messaging and engagement strategies
1. Communicate clearly and regularly
A major source of employee disengagement is poor communication. They may not understand new policies or changes and how they affect their roles. It is crucial to be transparent and provide regular updates throughout any process.
2. Use multiple communication channels
There are many ways to communicate with your team. Since individual employees respond differently, ensure you do not rely on a single channel. Send frequent emails, create videos, hold in-person meetings, and more. This is where tools like a company intranet can help.
3. Encourage and incorporate feedback
Many employees feel stressed when their feedback is ignored. Be open to adjusting your strategies based on the feedback received. There are always unforeseen factors. When these occur, do not ignore them. Applications such as surveys and feedback tools can help you gather and analyze employee responses effectively.
4. Be honest
It isn’t a weakness to admit you don’t know an answer. Being too aloof can lower confidence in leadership, and distorting the truth can backfire. If you don’t know an answer, just say so. Then research it and get back to the person promptly. Leaders maintain credibility by being transparent and truthful.
5. Review progress publicly
Communication is a journey, and like any journey, people need to know their progress. Regularly update your team on milestones and challenges. Transparency about obstacles and leadership’s plans to overcome them is key. Tools like company intranets provide a framework to share information and keep everyone updated on progress.
An ongoing commitment to communication
As I said at the beginning, effective communication is crucial in your business life. However, startups that prioritize internal messaging and engagement strategies adapt more quickly and perform better. By choosing to engage your employees and communicate effectively, you can build a more motivated, productive, and cohesive team.
Are you ready for better internal communications and engagement with employees around your social and environment campaigns?
If the answer is yes, then schedule a free discovery call today.
If you enjoyed reading, or found it helpful, please share: