In the often buzz-word intensive field of change management, the terms “capacity building” and “capability building” are often used interchangeably. That is unfortunate, because a more careful treatment of the terms can actually lead to some useful breakthroughs for organizations working through change. Let’s take a closer look. In the context of transformation, “capacity building” […]
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Do you feel that it’s difficult to explain—and take credit for—the contribution that your communications efforts make to the overall success of your organization? Sometimes it’s hard for communicators to take credit for big picture outcomes such as the number of new members recruited, rate of client satisfaction, revenue, or influence leading to a regulatory […]
The challenges I face in my work helping organizations lead change are remarkably similar to the challenges I face at home as the single mother of two teens. Here are a mother’s musings on the top 10 unlikely similarities between leading change and parenting teens: As George Bernard Shaw said so aptly, “the biggest problem […]
In my work with thousands of communicators in a broad range of organizations and sectors, one theme remains a constant – leadership has never been more relevant for the communications industry as it is now. It’s what internal clients are looking for, and it’s also the unique space communicators crave, in order to provide really […]
It’s all too easy, when we’re thinking about how to be better strategic communicators, to shrink in dismay at the distance between where we and our organizations are now, on one hand, and where we should be, on the other. Throwing up our hands and adopting a “can’t get there from here” attitude of resignation […]
I am struck that with few exceptions, organizations tend to invest relatively significant amounts of time, effort and money on communication vehicles (such as websites, brochures, annual reports and speeches) with relatively little focus on the core product of those vehicles – messages. That strikes me as a double problem. Firstly, it generally leads to […]
In my experience, communicators from various backgrounds and sectors share in an almost universal struggle to define the value they bring to organizations, and then communicate that value in a way that resonates with decision-making executives. This challenge comes up in three main forms: First, communications is often seen at best as overhead, and at worse, […]
The question I receive most often from communicators is “How can I be more strategic?” Here are my top five suggestions on enhancing your strategic value in a communications function: Ask good questions. The quickest way to add strategic value is to ask insightful questions that help sharpen focus on desired outcomes and results. Asking questions […]
The “curse of knowledge” is an insidious trap of organizational communication. The expression refers to a pattern that we observe regularly – a leader is so deeply knowledgeable about a topic that he cannot see the gap that exists between his level of familiarity with the subject and that of the employees around him. While […]
It often amazes me to see that amid the oceans of material written about strategic communications planning, virtually nothing is said about how communications advisors operate on their ‘home turf’, in relation to senior management and colleagues in program or policy shops. It’s a peculiar omission, because the way in which you approach internal client […]
Here are the questions I recommend as arsenal for every strategic communicator heading into a tough meeting or assignment: What does success look like? Why this, why now? What are the project or corporate objectives? What are the communications objectives? How can effective communications help advance the project objective? What are the main risks/opportunities? Thinking […]
The key to successful change is sustained, visible and meaningful consultation and engagement. The goal is that you want employees and stakeholders to be producers, not just passive consumers of change. The Building a Consultation Plan Worksheet from the Change Agent’s Toolkit is a resource to help you plan out consultations at the front-end of […]
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