I remember a time in my career when I felt my voice was being stifled — when I felt unheard and unnoticed.
I can still recall the tension, the uncomfortable apprehension in meetings, and how I sometimes chose silence over the iciness I feared might come if I shared a thought or opinion.
I hated it.
But the experience also had a tremendous impact on me. It steeled me in the way hardship always can if you’re fortunate enough to come out of it fully embracing your worth and power.
I know it influences the way I approach my work. The strategic communications process I use is naturally inclusive. It demands the input of a variety of voices – the people behind the brand, the ones working it.
They certainly have opinions and thoughts about how a company should be communicating, but may rarely, if ever, get the opportunity to share them. I make sure they do.
As communications professionals, it’s up to us to hold intentional space in our processes for the varied voices in an organization.
When we do, we’ll be better equipped to serve as the frontline accountability partners senior leaders need. We’ll tell richer, fuller, more authentic stories. And we’ll demonstrate the power of communications to positively impact corporate culture.
I want every communications professional to be able to confidently add this kind of value to organizations. My 5-week corporate messaging program and the communications planning course I created are designed to do just that.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can work together to ensure you embed opportunities to hear the many voices behind a brand into your approach, reach out.
I’d love to work with you to make sure no voice that wants to be heard is ever stifled.