I always get really excited about the publishing of Gallagher State of the Sector/Employee Experience
I always get really excited about the publishing of Gallagher State of the Sector/Employee Experience. Last year, I have to admit that the results fell a little flat for me and I questioned whether it would continue to be my go-to report on the State of Internal Communication. I’m happy to report that they have […]
I’m a boring Internal Communication Professional.
I’m a boring Internal Communication Professional. Not the clever one with the viral campaigns. Not the flashy one with cinematic launch videos.Not the one who turns every message into a meme. Not the one looking for a laugh. Boring. Now don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the creative stuff. There is a rush that comes […]
Have you heard of the Empty Boat theory?
The empty boat theory, originating from a Daoist parable by Zhuangzi, teaches that most frustrations and personal slights are like being hit by an empty, drifting boat: there is no malicious intent behind them. It made me think about where this happens in organizations when employees are quick to assign motive: But often…it’s an empty boat. Perhaps […]
Are Internal Communication Professionals Ready to Become Trust Brokers?
I read the Edelman Trust Barometer (2026) and found myself wondering not about the data, but about the opportunity that feels within reach. In a world shaped by polarization, grievance, and growing insularity, Edelman names trust brokering as a critical response. It identifies employers as one of the few institutions still positioned to do this […]
Tune in to the Happeo Unmuted podcast with Priya Bates
Courage, Strategy, and Breaking the Cycle of Communication Gaps Stop asking for more resources. Start finding your courage. “Internal communicators need courage and confidence, not just more budget.” If you listen to one episode of Happeo Unmuted this month, make it this one (Episode 10). We move past the tactical stuff and get into the […]
How Different Audiences Experience Values
Values are often described as who we are and how we do things around here.Yet in many organizations, values live on walls, websites, posters or slide decks while employees experience something very different in their day-to-day work. At Inner Strength Communication Inc., we’ve seen this pattern repeatedly across sectors:leaders believe values are clear and well-communicated, […]
From Tactical to Strategic: Elevating Your Role as a Communication Professional
In internal communication, many professionals find themselves caught in the cycle of executing tasks—managing channels, writing content, delivering campaigns—without always being invited into the strategic conversations that shape organizational direction. The shift from tactical to strategic isn’t about abandoning the important day-to-day work. It’s about repositioning yourself so that your contributions directly influence business outcomes, […]
Beyond the Buzzwords: How to Hire a True Internal Communication Expert
By Priya Bates Internal communication has finally earned a seat at the strategic table—so why are so many pulling up a chair without doing the work? As someone who has worked in this field for more than 25 years, I’m increasingly concerned by the number of individuals and agencies entering the space with little to […]
In Uncertain Times, Connection—Not Control—is the Answer
On June 14, 2025, we saw two vastly different leadership styles play out on the global stage. One was loud, choreographed, and commanding—an orchestrated show of military power in support of former President Donald Trump. The other was messy, grassroots, and profoundly human—a sea of people marching in protest, demanding rights, accountability, and change. Two […]
Is It Bad Luck… or Bad Communication?
The Truth About What Really Derails Internal Comms—and How to Do Better In the world of internal communication, we often hear things like:“It was just bad timing.”“Nobody could have seen that coming.”“We communicated it… they just didn’t get it.” But let’s be honest—most internal communication breakdowns aren’t the result of bad luck. They’re the result […]
Words That Work: What Internal Communication Professionals Can Learn from Unions
When it comes to strategic communication, we often look to brand campaigns or leadership speeches for best practices. But there’s one group that consistently gets language right—unions. Yes, unions. Whether you support them or not, you can’t deny their mastery of intentional, emotional, and empowering communication. As internal communication professionals, we should take note. Because […]
Data as a Storyteller: Weaving Meaning in Internal Communication
In the hands of a skilled communicator, data is not just a number on a spreadsheet. It’s a whispered clue.A breadcrumb on a path.A constellation of insight waiting to be connected into something bigger—something human. In internal communication, we often collect data like fireflies—tiny lights in jars. We gather open rates, pulse surveys, feedback forms, […]