6 ways to reclaim your strategic authority in internal comms

In about 3 minutes.

Internal Comms is often treated as a delivery service. It’s the age-old classic IC challenge because unfortunately, it’s all too easy to slip into the weeds, especially when you’re a small team. 

It’s an important challenge to stay on top though, because staying in reactive, tactical mode can result in a missed opportunity for alignment, understanding, business performance and strategic impact. (It can also feel exhausting as well). 

So, here are six ways to reclaim your strategic IC authority wrapped up in a 3-minute read.

1. Interrogate the "business problem"

When a stakeholder asks for a newsletter, they’re usually jumping to a solution. Ask: "What business priority are we trying to impact?" or "What happens if we do nothing?" Push for clarity on things like what kind of behaviour change is needed, and what evidence is there, so you can maintain focus. 

2. Operationalise "Deep Work" - be your own PA

Strategy is proactive; tactics are reactive. And this needs headspace. Block your calendar for ‘planning and analysis’. Treat yourself like your own PA and protect your time -  if you don’t treat your time as a finite resource, neither will your stakeholders.

3. Keep your channel mix under review 

If a channel has low engagement but is high maintenance, seriously consider whether you need it. Reclaiming your power means having the data-backed confidence to stop doing things that don't work and that waste time..

4. Speak the language of the board

The chances are that you’re already aligning to your business strategy, but you might not be framing it that way. Shift your language depending on your audience (the board) so they understand it in their world. For example, engagement becomes about operational alignment in protecting staff turnover. 

5. Move from "checking in" to "advising"

Stop asking, "What do you want me to say?" Start saying, "Based on current employee sentiment and our long-term goals, here is the approach I recommend." 

Own your expertise as the authority on the internal audience.

6. Document Your "invisible" impact

Track your wins, even if they’re hard to quantify. Think about risks you mitigated, crises you averted, leaders you’ve coached. These are great indicators of strategic influence. 

If you need some help with transitioning your internal comms function to a true strategic business partner, get in touch, we’d love to chat about how we can help.