The Death of the Memo: How Comms Leaders Are Connecting (And Why You're Not)
Internal communicators are often caught in a whirlwind of requests, fighting for attention while trying to demonstrate their value. Many feel overworked and misunderstood, battling employee disengagement and information overload.
But what if the role of a communicator wasn't just to broadcast messages, but to lead with strategic impact?
At a recent Bright Conference roundtable, leaders from Workday, Sprout Social, and Stellantis gathered to discuss this very challenge. The session, led by Mike Klein, moved beyond traditional tactics to explore a new playbook for leadership communication. The conversation revealed that communicators can shift from being reactive order-takers to proactive leaders by identifying internal influencers, using data-driven storytelling, and focusing on outcomes over outputs.
This article captures the core insights from that discussion, offering a fresh perspective on how to amplify your influence and drive real change.
The Modern Communicator's Dilemma
Participants quickly identified a set of common hurdles. Many communicators are stretched thin, facing burnout from a constant barrage of content requests. They grapple with employee disengagement, where important messages get lost in the noise of too many resources. A significant challenge is proving the value of communication to leadership teams who may not fully grasp its strategic importance.
The consensus was clear: the old way of doing things isn't working. It's time for a smarter approach. The group explored practical strategies to move beyond these pain points and build a more influential communication function.
Mike Klein Presented 6 Keys to Communication Leadership:
- Ask good questions. Good questions can impact or frame outcomes more effectively.
- Share new ideas. Provide alternatives and spark discussions.
- Bring the data. Data strengthens your arguments.
- Word and stories.
- Tap informal networks. Make use of the existing trust and credibility.
- Mobilize your allies. Amplify the voices of internal supporters.
Let’s break them down.
Find Your Allies: The Power of Informal Networks
One of the most powerful ideas from the session was the importance of looking beyond formal hierarchies. Every organization has an informal network of influencers—trusted, well-connected employees who people listen to. These individuals can become your greatest allies in spreading messages and shifting perceptions.
How do you find them? The group discussed two key methods:
- Snowball Research: This simple yet effective technique involves asking a few trusted employees, "Who do you go to for reliable information?" Then, you ask those people the same question. As you repeat the process, you'll start to see a clear map of your organization's true influencers.
- Organizational Network Analysis (ONA): For a more data-driven approach, ONA tools can visualize communication flows and identify central connectors within your company. This helps you see who is bridging gaps between teams and who acts as a key source of information.
Once you’ve identified these influencers, you can engage them to champion key initiatives. They can help spread positive messages, clarify information, and improve how employees perceive available resources. Mobilizing these allies is a task that often doesn't require permission, allowing you to build momentum from the ground up.
From Format to Focus: Prioritize Outcomes
Another key theme was the need to shift from focusing on specific formats to prioritizing desired outcomes. It’s easy to get bogged down in requests for "another email" or "a new intranet page." Instead, the conversation centered on asking a more strategic question: "What are we trying to achieve?"
By focusing on the end goal, you open the door to more creative and effective solutions. Maybe a short video from a team leader is more impactful than a long article, or a series of targeted messages through an informal network will work better than a company-wide broadcast. This outcome-oriented mindset also helps you say "no" more effectively. When you can steer the conversation toward a shared goal, you move from being a service provider to a strategic partner.
Tell Better Stories with Data
To demonstrate the value of your work to leadership, you need more than just good instincts. You need compelling stories backed by data. The roundtable participants stressed the importance of using intranet analytics to measure the impact of your communication efforts.
This doesn't have to be complicated. Start by tracking simple metrics related to your goals. Are you trying to increase awareness of a new benefit? Measure page views, click-through rates, and questions to HR before and after your campaign. Are you aiming to improve engagement with a new initiative? Use surveys and track participation.
Use this data to build a narrative that shows the direct line between your communication strategies and business outcomes. When you can present a clear story of "we did this, and it resulted in that," you give leaders the evidence they need to see communication as a critical investment.
Reclaim Your Time and Lead with Confidence
Feeling overworked is a common complaint, but the roundtable offered a practical solution. The speakers suggested allocating just a small amount of extra time each week—even just an hour or two—to focus on leadership strategies. Use this time to identify influencers, analyze data, or build relationships with key stakeholders.
Leveraging your allies can also help manage your workload. When your informal network helps spread information and answer questions, it frees you up to focus on higher-impact work. This isn't about doing more; it's about working smarter and amplifying your efforts through others.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Organization
Ready to put these ideas into practice? Here are a few steps you can take to begin your journey toward more impactful leadership communication:
- Start a Snowball Survey: Identify five trusted employees and ask them who they turn to for information. Use their answers to start mapping your informal network.
- Focus on One Outcome: The next time you receive a communication request, reframe the conversation around the desired outcome. Brainstorm three different ways to achieve that goal.
- Track One Metric: Choose one key initiative and identify a single metric to track its success. Use that data to tell a story about your impact.
- Block Strategic Time: Schedule one hour on your calendar next week dedicated to communication leadership. Use it to plan, connect with an influencer, or dig into your analytics.
The role of the internal communicator is evolving. By embracing these strategies, you can move from being a voice in the background to a leader who drives connection, clarity, and change.
Blair Williamson is the Global Content Marketing Manager at LumApps, where she leads content strategy to help organizations transform the way they connect and engage with employees.
She creates thought leadership and practical resources on topics like internal communications, employee engagement, and the future of work.
Passionate about helping companies align teams and strengthen culture, Blair brings insights that inspire action and spark conversation around the evolving workplace.
