As Internal Communicators, we often sit in a unique spot within the organisation. We’re the bridge between leadership and the front line. The ones who get the all-staff emails out the door, yes – but more importantly, we’re the trusted advisors, the sense-checkers, the ear to the ground.
And yet, despite the value we bring, there are many in our field who are struggling to get a seat at the table (the one where the strategic decisions are made and your input could make all the difference).
Over the years, we’ve had countless conversations with other IC professionals about how they’re perceived in their organisations. It’s sparked some great discussions about what’s worked for us – here are some of the best tips we’ve picked up along the way.
Top tips for getting your voice heard
1. Get yourself out there
Visibility starts with relationships. Make time to connect with people across the organisation – not just the leadership team, but the people in finance, IT, operations, customer service, and beyond. Learn what makes them tick, what challenges they’re facing, and how communication could support them better.
Sit in on team meetings, visit different sites or locations, and if you’re hybrid or remote, set up virtual coffees. The more people know you and what you do, the more likely they are to include you in the conversations that matter.
2. Ask the right questions
A big part of being seen as a strategic partner is showing curiosity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – even the ‘obvious’ ones. Wanting to understand the business, its goals, and its people shows you’re engaged, not clueless.
Asking the right questions also helps you challenge assumptions and uncover hidden opportunities. You’ll never build a strong comms plan based on guesswork, so make it your mission to dig deep and get to the heart of what’s really going on.
3. Be bold with your ideas
There’s nothing wrong with thinking a little differently – in fact, it’s often what sets us apart. Internal Comms has always been about creativity and connection, and in today’s ever-changing world of work, those qualities are more important than ever.
So, bring fresh ideas to the table. Challenge the old ways of doing things. Try new formats. Test and learn. Innovation doesn’t have to be massive, even small tweaks can have a big impact.
4. Keep learning
This one’s easy to let slide, especially when you’re the only IC person in the business or part of a small team. But staying sharp is crucial.
Read blogs, join webinars, attend conferences (even the virtual ones!), and connect with other comms professionals. Our free Comms Rebel platform has hundreds of professionals that you can connect with. There are some fantastic communities out there where people share what’s working, what’s not, and what’s coming next. The more you invest in yourself, the more confident and credible you’ll be when speaking up.
5. Show your impact
If you want a seat at the table, you need to speak the language of the business, and that means showing how your work contributes to the bigger picture.
Start with the data you already have. Things like:
- Engagement survey results
- Retention and absence rates
- Customer satisfaction scores
- Intranet traffic and search terms
- Email open and click rates
- Feedback from events or campaigns
Pull these into a dashboard or summary report that links your activity to business outcomes. Even anecdotal feedback can be powerful when it’s presented in the right way.
6. Speak their language
When talking to leaders, try to frame your work in terms they understand. Instead of saying, “we need to increase newsletter readership”, try “we need to improve awareness of the new policy to reduce operational errors”.
It might sound simple, but aligning your messaging with business goals can make all the difference in how you’re perceived.
7. Champion others
Visibility is also about lifting others up. Recognise and celebrate great work across the organisation. Shine a light on team achievements, unsung heroes, and culture champions. It helps build trust, encourages engagement, and shows that you understand what matters to people on the ground.
P.S. If you enjoyed this blog, check out the 5 essential rules Advita lives by. You can also get a daily dose of Advita’s thoughts and the latest happenings in the comms industry over on LinkedIn. Follow and connect with Advita.
