23 November 2006 Helping leaders shape effective
communications
Delegates at last week’s seminar on ‘shaping
leadership communications’ heard case studies from business
as well as creating their own ‘checklist’ for how IC
professionals can help leaders in their role.
The seminar was organised by the Association
for Strategy & Planning in Internal Communications (ASPIC)
which is managed by Item.
Two speakers - Robert Nuttall, Head of Internal
Communications at Marks & Spencer, and Darren Briggs of The
Company Agency, shared their experiences of leadership communications.
Delegates also divided into round table groups
to offer advice and solutions to three key questions:
• What three things can leaders do to help
your role? (The top three were visibility, time and commitment
to communications)
• What three things can communications
professionals do to help leaders be better communicators? (The
top three were: act as a pulse/reality check, give honest feedback
about performance and help the leader to keep messages simple
• Top tips for how communicators can build
a trusting relationship with leadership. (Keep delivering and the
trust builds up, demonstrate how IC is making a difference and
build credibility for communications as the internal expert.
