Internal communications need to continually champion audience knowledge expertise. But like us, our subject matter experts, project managers, initiative leaders and internal clients need to have the same definition and understanding of our audiences now, not later. Truth be known, we are all guests now in the homes of our remote workforce. A company’s ask of employees leaving the home to come to work is certainly bigger and worthy of intentional respect for the employee.
The internal communications professional can now be the visible architect and champion of the new virtual headquarters. The water cooler can be in our domain. We can lean into this important role and own the hallways, meeting rooms and the precise instance when connection occurs. We have always owned and fostered connection. Now we can play a larger role.
No doubt our organizations tend to come together in times of crisis. We will see our colleagues shine and go above and beyond as our organizations manage through. But checking in on how you are managing is important. You need to understand your own oxygen mask and how to use it. Now is a good time to do so.
Looking back over the past 30 years, I’ve had a habit of putting the health of the companies and organizations I’ve worked for ahead of my own mental and physical health – often to my detriment. I wish I would have been a bit smarter about my own self-care. I wish I would have asked for help.
Maintaining the same energy and drive to improve our practice as communicators and elevate the role in the organizations we serve requires specific intention. Whether or not you were there in person, the positive momentum established at the June 2019 IABC World Conference in Vancouver can certainly fuel our effort and give us a boost. Becoming the communicators we were meant to be, however, means moving forward with purpose – being a catalyst.
When do you flex your strategic muscles as a professional communicator? While all of our work can be strategic, there’s a specific pivot point when we all make a decision about whether or not a request for our services requires further communication planning, specifically, the creation of a communication plan.
Just how much of your work is above the waterline? Not everyone will completely understand or appreciate all the tactical work that is seemingly invisible. But clients and leaders should understand the communication planning process. This is the above waterline stuff where you can shine and make a meaningful difference in the organizations you serve.
You have to put your own oxygen mask on first. My goal is to help as many communicators as possible. That’s why I created my online course, Communication Plan Blueprint. But that’s just one way. Another way to help is to connect with you directly and have a one-to-one conversation. These kinds of calls were exactly the kind of oxygen I needed earlier in my career. Perhaps I can help you. Let’s get the oxygen flowing.
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