Transformation Consultant - Transportation | P3M3 | Transport Applications | Benefits Realisation | NPPV3 and SC Cleared
Let's talk about comms. It's a distinct discipline, and one which often gets overlooked in the project world, or bundled up as part of change management. In much the same way that change management used to get bundled up with project management (smh). Effective communication isn’t just about speaking up or shouting the loudest, but about understanding the nuances of how humans interact. Being a bit neuro-spicy, adds another layer of depth to this process; we tend to see patterns and read subtle signs that others might miss, and enables us to glean early insights into potential solutions before risks become issues. Recognising patterns and understanding the unspoken dynamics within an organisation can be useful. It helps to anticipate challenges and craft communications that pre-emptively address concerns, paving the way for a smoother project transition. It also helps to have great comms professionals on your team like Owen Pye, and recognising comms as a distinct skillset. However, as we’ve already established, I’m a massive introvert, so delivering these communications can sometimes feel like a daunting task. This is where interpersonal skills and relationship-building come into play. Let’s face it; a communication from me holds no weight. I’m just another consultant and my words, written or verbal, mean nish to most of my target audience. Building strong relationships with influential individuals within client organisations is key. These are the people who understand the inner workings of the business and have the credibility to convey messages. Lending their voice to communications has massive sway in engaging front line change adopters. By collaborating with them, we ensure that the communications are delivered with the right tone and authority. This leads on to the related subject or sponsorship, but that’s another post for another time. Owen and I organised a series of 14 roadshow events to showcase the new P-AMS asset management platform being implemented by National Highways. We did all the leg work in pulling together the material, making sure it was informative and impactful, and presenting the project background story. But the biggest success factor for each of those events were the guest speakers presenting to their subject matter expertise. Their endorsement and delivery of the message was fundamentally key to the success of the project outputs transitioning into BAU outcomes. #IntrovertedConsultant #NeuroDiversity #EffectiveCommunication #RelationshipBuilding #BusinessConsulting #ChangeManagement