Human Centric Change
For this episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Jyoti Khan, a seasoned communications professional and co-founder of the consultancy “Bricks and Clicks.” Jyoti shared her extensive experience in the field, emphasising the critical role of effective communication in driving successful organisational change. This blog post delves into the key themes discussed during the episode, offering actionable advice and expert insights for communication professionals navigating the complexities of change management and employee engagement.
The Importance of Effective Communication in Organisational Change: Understanding the Interconnection
Jyoti highlighted the intrinsic link between communication, change management, and employee engagement. Successful organisational change hinges on effective communication, which ensures that employees understand the rationale behind the change, what is expected of them, and how the change will be implemented. Without clear communication, resistance can arise, leading to lower morale and productivity.
Actionable Tips for Effective Change Communication
- Continuous Communication:
- Two-Way Dialogue: Establish open channels for feedback, making employees feel valued and informed.
- Regular Updates: Keep employees updated throughout the change process, not just during major milestones.
- Transparency and Clarity:
- Clear Messaging: Ensure that the messages are clear, concise, and consistent across all communication channels.
- Honesty: Be honest about the challenges and benefits of the change to build trust.
- Engagement and Involvement:
- Involve Employees: Engage employees in the change process by seeking their input and involving them in decision-making.
- Change Champions: Identify and empower change champions within the organisation to advocate for the change.
The Role of Change Communication Professionals
Elevating the Role
Jyoti emphasised the need for dedicated change communication professionals within organisations. While project managers and change managers play crucial roles, communication is often not their core competency. Having skilled communication professionals can make a significant difference in navigating emotions, resistance, and ensuring buy-in from employees.
Building Change Competency
- Strategic Thinking:
- Understand the Business Landscape: Gain a deep understanding of the organisation’s goals, challenges, and stakeholders.
- Align Communication with Strategy: Ensure that communication strategies align with the overall business strategy.
- Emotional Intelligence:
- Empathy: Understand and address the emotional responses of employees to change.
- Support Systems: Create support systems to help employees navigate the change process.
- Leadership and Creativity:
- Lead Through Complexity: Develop the ability to lead through ambiguity and complexity.
- Innovative Solutions: Use creativity to develop innovative communication solutions that resonate with employees.
Staying Relevant in the Age of AI
Leveraging AI for Efficiency
Jyoti discussed the impact of AI on the communication profession, particularly in content generation and writing. AI can significantly enhance efficiency by handling repetitive tasks, allowing communication professionals to focus on strategic thinking, creativity, and leadership.
Upskilling and Networking
- Identify Areas of Interest:
- Specialise: Identify areas of interest such as content creation, sustainability, or digital transformation and specialise in them.
- Continuous Learning: Engage in continuous learning to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies.
- Build Networks:
- Professional Organisations: Join professional organisations like the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) to network and gain insights from peers.
- Mentorship: Seek mentorship from experienced professionals to guide your career development.
Personal Insights on Navigating Change
Ownership and Involvement
Jyoti shared her personal journey of transitioning from corporate roles to consulting, emphasising the importance of ownership in the change process. When individuals are involved in co-creating the vision for change, they are more likely to commit to it.
Starting with “Why”
Understanding the purpose behind the change is crucial for commitment. Leaders must articulate a compelling vision that inspires employees to embrace the change rather than view it as a temporary fix.
Patience and Resilience
Change is a non-linear process that takes time. It requires patience and resilience to navigate the ups and downs. Going back to the “why” can help maintain focus on the ultimate goal.
Support Systems
Having a support system is critical for navigating change. In organisations, this could mean aligning with managers or change networks. Personally, having peers and mentors can provide invaluable support.
Conclusion
The conversation with Jyoti Khan underscored the critical role of effective communication in driving successful organisational change. By elevating the role of change communication professionals, leveraging AI for efficiency, and building competencies in strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and leadership, communication professionals can navigate the complexities of change and foster a positive organisational culture.
Guest profile
For over two decades, Jyoti Khan has embraced learning the art and the science of communication, working with some of the best technology, telecom, IT services, and financial services brands in India, Asia and around the globe – in both agency and corporate environments. Jyoti is a certified Strategic Comms Professional and Change Practitioner and is passionate about working with leaders to energise and align teams to a common purpose, inspire change and help them build their desired organisational culture. In her capacity as the Immediate Past Chair of the Asia Pacific Board of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), Jyoti is also contributing towards advancing the communication profession, making it a career of choice for the next generation.
Useful links:
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyotikhan/
Website: https://bricks-clicks.com
Episode links:
Link to a relevant episode of the podcast: https://thebigpicturepeople.co.uk/blog/podcast/change-management-and-internal-comms-s5-e22/