Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:17 — 32.4MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Email | RSS

We’re back after a brief hiatus and are ecstatic to be joined by author, internal communications leader, and our “welcome rebel” Mike Klein.

Principal of Changing the Terms and Senior Strategic Advisor for Sparrow Connected, Mike has made it his personal mission to challenge the status quo and advance the effectiveness of internal communications. His recently published e-book, “Employee Engagement or BUSINESS IMPACT? It’s Time To Choose,” takes on the current state of employee engagement and identifies six levers to engage better performance:

1. Clarity (so people know what they are supposed to do and why)
2. Prioritization (so people align on what’s most important, first)
3. Asking the right questions
4. Making sure people have access to the tools they need
5. Reducing friction and noise
6. Minimizing the gap between what org says and what it actually does

In our conversation, Mike delves into ways internal communicators can help drive performance and discusses how he views company culture. “A company’s culture is the extent to which its stated values and purpose vary from its actual values and purpose,” Mike told us. “And the amount of pressure people are put under to maintain that gap.”

For more from Mike:

• Follow #WeLeadComms, Mike’s initiative to identify, recognize and connect communication leaders through social media profiles and online open conferences
• Download the ebook
• Follow Mike on LinkedIn or visit his business website, Changing the Terms

About Sharon McIntosh

Sharon is president of And Then Communications. With more than two decades of communications experience, she has a passion for creating and executing new ideas to drive employee engagement at companies both large and small. Most recently Sharon served as PepsiCo’s vice president of Global Internal Communications, overseeing the company’s efforts to connect with its more than 274,000 employees worldwide.

About Sharon Phillips

Sharon Phillips is principal of Sharon Phillips Communications, which focuses on employee engagement and corporate communications strategy and support. Prior to relaunching her consultancy in 2014, she served as director of Global Internal Communications at PepsiCo.