5 steps to ensure communication shores up and supports new strategies

One of the greatest misconceptions of strategy implementation is thinking that it’s done by executives.

Strategy implementation happens when—and only when—you have the support, buy-in and cooperation of teams within the organization. This requires crystal-clear communication—and an intelligent, intentional and inclusive plan to reach every person in your organization.

How can we use internal communication and actions to implement new or updated strategies? Try these five steps to make sure your messaging breaks through:

1. Involve colleagues from the beginning. No one likes to have new plans or directives dumped on them out of the blue.

When people get to voice an opinion before things are set in stone, they’re more likely to accept the outcome. Plus, gathering feedback, insights and preferences beforehand will help you shape a better, more inclusive strategy.

2. Align strategy and operations. A strategy should never be separate from the daily operations of a business. Your strategy should lead the operational activities—not obstruct them, contradict them or be abstract or intangible.