What Makes a Future-Ready IC Pro (And What Doesn’t)
Lee Smith
Minutes
15th September 2025
People-First Internal Comms Employee experience
Internal Communication is at a crossroads. AI is writing copy faster than we ever could. Employees expect seamless, consumer-grade experiences. Leaders want strategic advisors, not “the comms person.”
So the big question: are you ready for the future of IC—or stuck in the past? Let’s get honest.
Q: Be real—will my writing skills keep me safe?
A: No. Not anymore. AI is already drafting copy, creating newsletters, and even storyboarding campaigns. If your primary value is “I’m a great writer,” you’re replaceable.
👉 The future-ready IC pro uses writing as one tool—but their real value is empathy, influence, and sense-making. Skills that no algorithm can replicate.
Q: Do I need to chase every new tool and platform?
A: Stop chasing shiny objects. Another channel or platform won’t make you future-ready. What matters is knowing why you’re using it, how it supports connection, and whether it delivers the right outcomes.
👉 The pros of tomorrow won’t be tool-obsessed. They’ll be insight-obsessed. Q: What’s the fastest way to stop being “just the comms person”?
A: Start asking harder questions. Not “What message should we send?” but “What problem are we solving? What behaviour do we need to shift? How will this land with people?”
👉 Future-ready IC pros don’t wait to be invited into the conversation—they make themselves impossible to ignore. Q: What’s holding IC pros back the most right now?
A: Playing it safe.
Still measuring success in “emails sent” instead of business outcomes.
Staying order-takers instead of trusted advisors.
Pretending AI is a fad instead of learning to use it to free up time for higher-value work.
Protecting turf instead of collaborating across EX, HR, L&D, and Ops.
👉 The future belongs to the curious, the bold, and the human.
Q: Where do I go if I don’t want to get left behind?
Take the EX Space Bite-Size course:Becoming a Trusted Advisor. If you're serious about levelling up your influence, this is where you start.
Read our new book, People-First Internal Communication (out this December). The playbook for every IC pro who wants to stay relevant in the AI age >>> pre order now!
Final Word
If you want to be future-ready, stop polishing tactics and start building human strengths. AI can handle the hygiene work. The value now lies in curiosity, courage, creativity, and connection.
