It's time to put people at the heart of internal communication
Lee Smith
Minutes
19th December 2024
Employee Experience
Human centred
Workplace Experience
Human centred
Workplace Experience
Nearly 150 years ago, the publication of the very first employee magazines marked the birth of the internal communication (IC) profession. But while technology has powered forward and the profession has flourished, the fundamental approach remains largely unchanged. For many organisations, IC is still a top-down, directive, "tell and sell" endeavour — something done to employees, rather than with them.
The changing workplace
But today’s world of work is a far cry from the late 19th century. According to HR thought leader Josh Bersin: “We are living through the greatest workplace transformation since the Industrial Revolution, driven by the rapid adoption of digital technologies, shifting workforce demographics, and new ways of working."
But today’s world of work is a far cry from the late 19th century. According to HR thought leader Josh Bersin: “We are living through the greatest workplace transformation since the Industrial Revolution, driven by the rapid adoption of digital technologies, shifting workforce demographics, and new ways of working."
Over the coming years, the reinvention of work will accelerate as generative AI transforms organisations and employees learn to collaborate with bots in entirely new ways. Welcome to the EX Era!
In today's fast-paced, digitally enabled workplace, internal communications (IC) have never been more critical—or more complex. The era of transactional, ‘one-size-fits-all’ IC is over. Employees demand communications that are personalised, engaging, and impactful. Communications that put them first.
And we have developed a ground-breaking approach to do this: people-first IC - where human creativity meets AI efficiency to unleash potential and focus communicators on the work that truly matters.
Introducing People-Centric Internal Communication
We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming release of our new book, People-Centric Internal Communication. Co-authored by The EX Space founders, Emma Bridger and Lee Smith, and published by Kogan Page, this game-changing book will arrive in late 2025. It sets out a bold new direction for IC—one that places employees at its very core. Through fresh mindsets, innovative models, and practical tools, this book empowers IC practitioners to reimagine their strategies and make internal communication genuinely people-focused.
We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming release of our new book, People-Centric Internal Communication. Co-authored by The EX Space founders, Emma Bridger and Lee Smith, and published by Kogan Page, this game-changing book will arrive in late 2025. It sets out a bold new direction for IC—one that places employees at its very core. Through fresh mindsets, innovative models, and practical tools, this book empowers IC practitioners to reimagine their strategies and make internal communication genuinely people-focused.
Our mission to transform work
At The EX Space, our mission is clear: to reshape the world of work by equipping people practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to adopt a genuinely human-centric approach. Through our courses, research, and vibrant community, we prepare our members for the challenges and opportunities ahead. This book will be a cornerstone of our exciting 2025 programme, helping practitioners embrace the transformative potential of people-centered IC.
Why people-first IC matters
Traditional ‘transactional’ IC often focuses on broadcasting organisational messages: generic updates, company news, or procedural announcements. At its worst, it's all about channels and content. While functional, this approach rarely inspires or connects. People-centric IC, on the other hand, places employees at the front and centre of the approach, fostering dialogue and deep listening, enabling behaviour change, and measuring impact through outcomes rather than clicks and likes.
The shift is not just desirable—it’s critical. People-centred IC is a practical approach which enables communicators to design solutions, and IC experiences, that are human-centred, empathy-driven, and iteratively refined. Our people-first approach to IC has the power to be a true game-changer. By designing communication with people at the heart of every decision, organisations can elevate the impact of IC—not just for the business, but for the people who bring it to life. This approach fosters deeper engagement, builds trust, and aligns employee experiences with organisational goals.
Are you already embracing a people-first IC approach? Perhaps you’re using design thinking tools such as employee personas, and empathy maps, or mapping IC journeys to transform the way you communicate? If so, we’d love to hear from you - just drop us a note at hello@theex.space! Your insights, experiences, and stories could be featured in People-Centric Internal Communication.
Are you already embracing a people-first IC approach? Perhaps you’re using design thinking tools such as employee personas, and empathy maps, or mapping IC journeys to transform the way you communicate? If so, we’d love to hear from you - just drop us a note at hello@theex.space! Your insights, experiences, and stories could be featured in People-Centric Internal Communication.
