Strategic Communication

Strategic Change Culture Development & Integration Strategic Planning Listening Architecture^™
Workplace Effectiveness Strategic Communication

A leader’s ability to communicate change quickly and effectively can mean the difference between an organization thriving or declining. During times of uncertainty, complexity and change, communication is the glue that:

Aligns goals for better coordinated action
Promotes faster, more effective decision making
Ensures smooth implementation

Our communication experts help leaders learn “best practices” to engage the right communication channels, processes and practices. We work to ensure that messages build trust, commitment and are:

Timely
Consistent
Aligned
Transparent

Time-tested Selected Communication Strategies and Tools

1. Communication Audits

Evaluate usage and effectiveness of current channels, processes and practices
Use technology most efficiently and effectively
Adapt messages to employee preferences and practices
Engage collaborative decision-making strategies and tools
Standardize operating procedures for clarity and engagement

2. Strategic Stakeholder Roadmaps and Communication Plans

Provide a framework to ensure messages, initiatives and actions cascade to key stakeholders
Revise plans as targets are met, circumstances change, or new objectives are identified
Measure outcomes

3. Key Communicator Programs

Communicate with Impact - Ensure leaders are well-informed and prepared with consistent messaging to:
- Support the vision, values and change internally and externally
- Engage and influence others to achieve goals
- Present consistent, clear and compelling updates at the right time, through the right channels and to the right people
- Listen to and involve others in key activities and goals

Team Briefings - Regularly scheduled face-to-face or enhanced video processes that encourage two-way communication from those closest to the source of information
- Cascade information throughout the system within set time frame
- Offer JIT data for managers to share with direct reports
- Provide consistent, timely and accurate information
- Move through layers of workforce simultaneously
- Maintain momentum during change initiative

Listening Groups - Forum to help leaders engage employees in dialogue to gain input as well as explore and discuss issues.
- Focus Groups:
  - Generate hypotheses for future opportunities
  - Develop sound approaches for intended audience
  - Gain understanding from those on the frontlines
  - Enhance use of survey results and delivery channels

Strategic Communication Blogs

Leaders Can Halt the Great Resignation — Stop Talking & Start Listening

By Megan McGlothin | May 23, 2022

Several years ago, an Innolect executive coach was featured on an ABC 20/20 segment entitled, “Excessive Talking.” The piece highlighted a newly hired leader who had something to add to every conversation, interrupted others in meetings, failed to ask questions of his team—and had been divorced twice. He talked too much. When his manager noticed […]

Listening: Examples from Great Leaders

By Megan McGlothin | May 19, 2022

As a leader, the ability to listen to those around you is critical – and listening goes far beyond hearing. Listening is a skill that has to be learned and honed. Like all skills, we can learn much from leaders of the past who mastered the practice. Nelson Mandela, who was known for listening to […]

Listening Burnout: Take Steps to Overcome Your Derailers

By Megan McGlothin | April 25, 2022

“Leaders who don’t listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say.” -Andy Stanley According to APA’s 2021 Work and Well-being Survey, American workers across the board saw heightened rates of burnout. In the U.S., 79% of employees had experienced work-related stress in the month before the survey. It’s important to note […]