Internal communication specialists often solve multiple tasks at once and sometimes forget the basic rules of their work. The HR Communication website therefore came with a handy summary of the 11 laws of internal communication.
1. The Myth of internal communication
Communication requires at least two active participants, it is therefore a mistake to call simply reporting information communication.
2. Honesty
Employees are not children. Treat them like adults and openly tell the whole truth. They must have confidence in you in order to support your corporate strategy.
3. Strategic impact
All internal communications must be linked to your corporate strategy. Concentrate on motivating leaders to support internal communications.
4. Context
The business world is changing faster and faster and managers and employees are therefore required to make better and faster decisions. You should help them with it.
5. Intention
Before communicating anything, you must be clear about what to change and what behavior to achieve.
6. Connection and relevance
Internal communication connects the journey of an organization with the different journeys of its people. You can contribute to employee engagement by strengthening connections between employees, their superiors, colleagues and the organization.
7. Participation
Employees are not your audience, they are participants of the communication. Allow them to actively participate in discussions and listen to them.
8. Support for managers
Ensure that managers fully understand their roles and what is expected of them. Then provide support so that they could actually implement it.
9. Individual approach
One of the main rules of internal communication says that the same approach to everybody does not work. You have to know what you want and choose individual tools accordingly.
10. Perception of reality
The reality in your organization is in fact the way how your people perceive the reality. Your job is to know their perception of reality and work with it.
11. Continued learning
You should measure your results and constantly rise your bar. Monitor, measure and implement the changes in internal communication on the basis of what you are learning in practice.
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