Type
Presentation
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/d113-a706
Session Description
The pivotal role effective internal communication plays in engaging staff is often underestimated and the hybrid working environment now happening across our institutions, where staff are spread across locations, has reaffirmed its importance. Communicating around strategic initiatives, daily work, and creating human connection requires a deliberate and active plan across the organization. This presentation will share the direct experiences of leadership and staff at the UConn Library and work done to increase engagement through effective internal communication strategies.
Often as managers we hear critiques that communication is lacking or needs improvement. To make meaningful positive change, you need to know what elements or aspects of communication have the most significant impact on staff perceptions of communication quality. Over the past two years, UConn Library has engaged in a strategic initiative to explore our culture of communication. This work produced some tangible deliverables including definitions, norms, and audits, as well as sparked conversations about communication challenges within the organization and how they directly affect the culture we aspire to have. As we continue to build our knowledge base and focus our work, we have launched a survey to better understand staff preferences, practices, and perceptions as it relates to internal communication and engagement. This presentation will share all of our work to date, including the results of the survey, our next steps, as well as a framework for participants interested in improving internal communication within their own organizations.
Learning Objectives:
-Attendees will gain awareness of communication best practices and academic theories of communication
-Attendees will develop a framework to improve internal communication within organizations
Type of Library
University Library
Charting your Chat: Fostering Employee Engagement with Internal Communication
Hogan Suite B
The pivotal role effective internal communication plays in engaging staff is often underestimated and the hybrid working environment now happening across our institutions, where staff are spread across locations, has reaffirmed its importance. Communicating around strategic initiatives, daily work, and creating human connection requires a deliberate and active plan across the organization. This presentation will share the direct experiences of leadership and staff at the UConn Library and work done to increase engagement through effective internal communication strategies.
Often as managers we hear critiques that communication is lacking or needs improvement. To make meaningful positive change, you need to know what elements or aspects of communication have the most significant impact on staff perceptions of communication quality. Over the past two years, UConn Library has engaged in a strategic initiative to explore our culture of communication. This work produced some tangible deliverables including definitions, norms, and audits, as well as sparked conversations about communication challenges within the organization and how they directly affect the culture we aspire to have. As we continue to build our knowledge base and focus our work, we have launched a survey to better understand staff preferences, practices, and perceptions as it relates to internal communication and engagement. This presentation will share all of our work to date, including the results of the survey, our next steps, as well as a framework for participants interested in improving internal communication within their own organizations.
Learning Objectives:
-Attendees will gain awareness of communication best practices and academic theories of communication
-Attendees will develop a framework to improve internal communication within organizations
Comments
https://doi.org/10.7275/d113-a706