11 laws of internal communications

Corporate communicators juggle various tasks daily, and sometimes, they get so busy that they overlook why they’re doing something, and what they hope to achieve. Follow these laws to right your ship.

1. The law of the myth of internal communications

Information out is not communication.

Perhaps the most fundamental law of all is that communication involves at least two active participants.

Too often, organizations claim to have communicated when in fact they have simply sent out information. Communication takes place over a period of time and, within business, should serve to move people along a path from awareness to understanding to, finally, actualization.

2. The law of candor

Employees are adults—give them the whole truth and nothing but.

The law of candor is really about treating people as adults. Openness, truthfulness, honesty and other similar values allow for people to participate with a level of trust. With trust established, there is an increased probability of support for corporate strategy at all levels.

3. The law of strategic leverage

If you are not focused on business strategy, you are playing in the wrong box.