In these days of virtual working, we certainly need to pay attention to ‘how’ we communicate and importantly, how we can support leaders and managers to be aware of their audience’s reactions. 

Social distancing sounds so restrictive and oppressive and it can sound like we could have the potential to shut away into a hole of solitary confinement. But something incredible is also happening.

Something that builds stronger human relationships is that we have a shared truth. That starts by moving out of what we know to be our through and getting a better understanding of another person’s perspective. That all starts with listening. Here are some tips to help you listen better…

But when you start to communicate, its not about how you experience it, it is about how the reader is experiencing it. Start with a simple question- What is the call to action in your communication?

How can you communicate a message authentically when it doesn't feel like your message? If it doesn’t come naturally, it is often because it doesn’t feel like you.

The case for communication professionals to take their seat as a coach. No table required!

Embedding a Purpose is about keeping that ball in play. After working so hard to create a clear focus for business performance you need to keep reinforcing the existence and integration of the new ‘business as usual’.

You can repeat your purpose statement until you are blue in the face. But it needs depth and integrity to become something people can connect with on a personal level.

Purpose lives or dies by the watercooler not in the boardroom, this is where the day-to-day reality of work plays out; all the way to the front-line. This is where people have quality conversations, not meetings.

It is amazing how many purpose or vision statements sound like you need an MBA to understand it, let alone relate to it. The aim is that every person working for your company, understands and relates to the purpose, the why of your company.  

It is essential that when you communicate your organisation’s purpose it is not just a fancy badge to wear for a week, it must integrate it into your business strategy communications, performance communications and weave into the fabric of your culture.

When launching a new company purpose, of course you will go broad and wide with communications; paste it all over the web, the offices and keep weaving it into every communication you do. That should do the trick right?

But please, communication professional, don’t forget one important thing. The success of your communications is not what you did, but whether it made any difference