What can you learn from the latest trends in internal communication research?

1 The importance of employee voice

One of the most consistent themes in internal communication research is the importance of employee voice, or the extent to which employees can express their opinions, ideas, and concerns to their managers and leaders. Employee voice has been linked to higher levels of engagement, trust, commitment, performance, and innovation. Unfortunately, many employees still feel unheard, unvalued, or ignored by their organization. Internal communication research suggests that in order to foster a culture of employee voice, you should provide multiple channels for feedback, such as surveys, focus groups, intranet forums, town hall meetings, and social media platforms. Additionally, managers and leaders must be encouraged and trained to listen actively and respond constructively to employee input, as well as communicate openly and transparently about the rationale and outcomes of their decisions. Moreover, it is important to recognize and reward employees who speak up constructively while protecting them from any negative consequences or retaliation. Last but not least, employees should be involved in co-creating solutions and implementing changes that affect them.

2 The role of internal communication in change management

Internal communication research suggests that change management is an important topic to consider, as organizations must communicate and manage change initiatives with their employees. Change can bring about anxiety and uncertainty, so it's essential to communicate the vision, purpose, and benefits of the change clearly and consistently. Additionally, risks, challenges, and trade-offs should be addressed, and emotions and concerns should be acknowledged. Keeping employees informed of progress and impact of the change is also important, as is providing them with resources, training, and support. Finally, celebrating achievements and milestones of the change as well as soliciting feedback from employees can help ensure a successful transition.

3 The impact of digital transformation on internal communication

A third major trend in internal communication research is the impact of digital transformation on internal communication, or how the adoption of new technologies and tools affects the way organizations communicate internally. Digital transformation can offer many opportunities and benefits, such as enhancing collaboration, connectivity, accessibility, and efficiency; however, it can also create information overload, fragmentation, distraction, and security issues. To leverage the potential of digital transformation for internal communication, internal communication research suggests assessing the needs and preferences of your employees and stakeholders to select the most appropriate and effective digital channels and tools. It is also important to integrate these channels with your existing strategy and infrastructure to ensure consistency and coherence across different platforms. Additionally, educating and training your employees on how to use the digital channels effectively is important, as well as providing them with clear guidelines and policies on digital etiquette and security. Lastly, monitor the performance of your digital channels and tools, while seeking feedback from your employees for improvement.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?