For too long, internal communication has been asked to “get the message out.” We write, we publish, we cascade. But when employee experience is fractured — when L&D are running one thing, IT another, Ops another — communication alone can’t fix the problem.
The result? Mixed messages, duplication, and employees left frustrated by clunky, disconnected experiences.
Here’s the thing: IC cannot succeed unless we work differently.
Breaking barriers with shared tools and language.
The most effective communicators today aren’t operating as lone specialists. They’re collaborating across functions — with EX, L&D, HR, IT, and Ops. And the glue that holds it together isn’t another channel or campaign. It’s shared tools and a shared language.
That’s where human-centred design comes in. By starting with real employee needs, mapping journeys, and co-creating solutions, we shift the dynamic:
- From competing priorities → to connected purpose.
- From siloed activity → to joined-up experiences.
- From “my project” → to “our people.”
Why this matters now.
The organisations that thrive are those where employees experience
flow — not friction. Where learning, technology, communication, and daily operations feel seamless. Where every touchpoint reinforces culture rather than pulling against it.
And communicators are uniquely placed to lead this shift. With our cross-cutting view of the organisation, we can convene, facilitate, and design for the moments that matter most.
This is a theme we explore in our upcoming Kogan Page book,
People-First Internal Communication. We argue that the future of IC lies not in siloed channels, but in being the connector — the architect of experiences that span functions and truly serve people.
The mindset shift
Collaboration isn’t just about turning up to someone else’s meeting. It’s about adopting a design mindset: curiosity, empathy, experimentation, and co-design. It’s about seeing the whole employee journey, not just our slice of it.
That’s the opportunity — and the challenge — for all of us.
