122 | Mastering Internal Communications: The Lifeblood of Organisations | Emily Hecker
Release Date: 11/02/2023
137 | Storytelling, Stakeholders, and Strategy: Communicating Change Right
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Catherine Fallon about the critical role of change communication in organizations undergoing transformation. Catherine shares her extensive experience in employee engagement and change management, emphasizing the importance of building trust and aligning stakeholders during periods of change. The conversation explores effective strategies for communicating change, the role of middle management, the significance of storytelling, and the necessity of engaging change agents to foster a supportive...
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136 | Navigating Organisational Culture Challenges | Clare Duffield
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Clare Duffield, Assistant Chief Officer for People and Organisational Development at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). They discuss the importance of workplace culture, the challenges faced by policing globally, and the insights gained from a cultural audit conducted within PSNI. Clare shares the findings of the audit, highlighting both concerns and strengths within the organisation, and emphasises the need for trust, recognition, and support in fostering a positive culture. The...
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135 | The Evolving Role of Modern Leadership
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Dara Connolly, CEO of Common Purpose Ireland, about the evolving role of leadership in today's organizations. They discuss the importance of connection, self-awareness, and the need for leaders to adapt in a post-COVID world. Dara shares insights on practical strategies for effective leadership, the significance of mentoring, and the impact of good leadership on society. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to be open, curious, and engaged in their communities to foster positive...
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134 | Unlocking Potential: Neurodiversity, ESG, and Organisational Culture in Action
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Lorna McAdoo, head of ESG at Version One, about the importance of organizational culture, the role of ESG in shaping that culture, and strategies for enhancing employee engagement, especially in a post-COVID world. They discuss the significance of listening to employees, integrating ESG into daily operations, and the potential of neurodiversity in the workplace. Lorna emphasizes the need for organizations to be flexible and proactive in creating an inclusive environment that fosters connection...
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133 | Empathy: The Missing Ingredient in Leadership | Keith Barry
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the importance of non-verbal communication in leadership, the journey of a brain hacker, the power of subconscious storytelling, the role of empathy in communication, and the science behind influence through mirroring and rapport. They emphasize that effective leadership requires understanding and harnessing these elements to create a positive organizational culture. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of influence, decision-making, resilience, and leadership. They explore how to effectively...
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132 | Navigating Middle Management Challenges in Modern Workplaces | Kathryn Whyte
Building Better Cultures
Summary In this episode, the conversation delves into the intricacies of workplace culture, emphasizing the importance of leadership, purpose, and employee wellbeing. The speakers discuss how culture is shaped by the behaviours tolerated within an organization and the critical role leaders play in modelling desired behaviours. They explore the challenges faced by middle management and the necessity of empowering employees to take charge of their wellbeing. The discussion highlights the need for intentionality in fostering connections and trust within teams, ultimately leading to a...
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131 | Leadership, empathy & diversity lessons from Mumbai | BBC Shorts
Building Better Cultures
When 20 senior leaders from 9 countries gathered in the heart of Mumbai, the lessons weren’t found in PowerPoint decks—they were found in the streets, in conversation, and in shared moments of discomfort and growth. In this episode, Scott McInnes reflects on his experience with the Common Purpose Senior Leader Programme, exploring how a city of contrasts challenged his assumptions, highlighted the power of diversity, and deepened his understanding of bias and empathy. A story about leadership that unfolds not in loud declarations—but in quiet, meaningful shifts.
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130 | From Employee to Owner: The Business of Coffee & Culture
Building Better Cultures
Episode Summary In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes sits down with , CEO of , to discuss the company’s incredible transformation over the past three years. Jonathan shares his journey from employee to owner through a management buyout (MBO) and the challenges he faced in reshaping the organisation’s leadership and culture. With a strong focus on communication, trust, and a people-first approach, Jonathan highlights how visibility, vulnerability, and fun play crucial roles in creating an engaged and motivated workforce. He also delves into the...
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129 | The Eight Practices of Credible Leadership | Jenni Field
Building Better Cultures
EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes sits down with Jenni Field, CEO of Redefining Communications, to discuss her new book Nobody Believes You and the critical role of credibility in leadership. They explore the eight interconnected practices that define credible leadership and examine how leaders can navigate post-pandemic organisational challenges with empathy, integrity, and self-awareness. Jenni shares research-backed insights on how leaders can build trust, foster a supportive culture, and adapt their communication styles to strengthen...
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128 | HubSpot’s Culture Code and Leadership Insights for Hybrid Work Success | Eimear Marrinan
Building Better Cultures
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes interviews , VP of People Experience at HubSpot, about how HubSpot has built and maintained a thriving corporate culture. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of hybrid work, the role of feedback and transparency, and the importance of intentionality in fostering meaningful employee engagement. Eimear shares practical advice and insights into aligning company values with the needs of employees and customers alike. Key Takeaways: acts as a...
info_outlineWorkplace culture is as strong as the communication it thrives on and as fragile as a string of miscommunications. Internal communications is the lifeblood of organisations, holding the power to inspire, inform and engage employees. This week, leading internal communications expert and author of ‘Me, Myself and IC’, Emily Hecker, joins Scott to dive right into its indispensable role in shaping organisational culture and unveiling how communication barriers can stunt growth.
This episode is packed to the brim with wisdom as Emily reveals how to gain buy-in from senior leaders and master the art of storytelling to drive your business forward. Emily also shares her advice on making internal comms a core business priority, highlighting the need for clear communication expectations within organisations.
Key discussions include:
- Falling in love with the process of storytelling and creating narratives.
- How to master internal communications.
- The role of internal communication in shaping organisational culture.
- The three tiers of communicators within an organisation.
- The key to empowering employees to become better communicators.
- Identifying what effective communication looks like.
- The impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on internal communications.
- Don’y shy away from success: The importance of showcasing successes to prove value. and gain leadership buy-in.
- How to provide support to leaders to become effective communicators.
- The three critical elements of effective communication.
- Plus lots more!
Emily is the embodiment of the power of storytelling, weaving her journey from a writing enthusiast to a corporate communication maestro. This episode is a masterclass on how communication can make or break your workplace culture. So, If you are ready to take the first step towards a more robust, interconnected, and engaged workplace culture, this is a must-listen for you!
“Internal communication is the lifeblood of organisations. Many studies show how it influences productivity, performance and satisfaction, all of which are key components to shaping culture.“ – Emily Hecker.
ABOUT EMILY HECKER:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyhecker/
Work: https://www.emily-hecker.com/
Book: https://www.emily-hecker.com/book
ABOUT SCOTT McINNES:
Learn more about Scott McInnes, your host and the Founder and Director of Inspiring Change, by clicking here.
ABOUT WORKVIVO:
If you’re struggling with communications in this time of new hybrid workplace conditions, click here to explore Workvivo, a collaboration platform that offers seamless digital integration.
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