Five Communications Strategies to Boost Employee Engagement
By Carlanda Jones
Creating strong employee engagement isn’t always easy. Newsletters and all-hands meetings still work, but they don’t always inspire meaningful connections. To truly engage employees, it’s time to think outside the box. These five internal communications strategies can help create a more engaging workplace culture.
Employee-Led Content Creation
Letting employees share their stories, tips, and successes can make internal communications more relatable and engaging. Employee-generated content feels more genuine than polished corporate messages. It also builds trust by highlighting the human side of your organization while encouraging employees to take pride in their work and contributions. To start, launch a “Spotlight Series” on your intranet or internal social media channels, highlighting employee achievements and experiences.
Interactive Leadership Q&A Sessions
Hosting regular Q&A sessions with leadership allows employees to ask questions and share their thoughts in an open, engaging format. These sessions can be during town halls or through an intranet platform or internal social media channel. By creating a two-way communications channel, employees feel heard, and leadership can address concerns or clarify key messages or innovative programs directly. To start, consider setting up a monthly “Ask Me Anything” session with leaders. Take questions live and collect them ahead of time to ensure all voices are heard.
Make Communication Fun
Gamifying internal communications adds an element of excitement to routine tasks. Quizzes, leaderboards, and digital badges can motivate employees to stay engaged with company updates or initiatives. This approach works because it taps into employees’ natural competitiveness, turning mundane tasks into enjoyable challenges. For example, host a trivia contest tied to a company project or milestone and give small rewards or public recognition to top performers.
Anonymous Feedback Loops
Giving employees a safe way to share their ideas and concerns anonymously fosters a culture of trust and openness. Leaders can use this feedback to address issues before they escalate and to shape more effective communications. Set up simple tools like anonymous surveys or intranet feedback forms where employees can easily submit their thoughts. Then, share key takeaways and action plans with employees to show that their input is valued and acted upon.
Micro-Videos
Short, visually engaging videos are a powerful way to communicate updates or celebrate milestones. These micro-videos are ideal for today’s workplace, where employees prefer quick, digestible content. Micro-videos can boost engagement and help key messages stick. Create a weekly two-minute “In Case You Missed It” video highlighting important updates. Alternatively, post a short “too long; didn’t read” summary on your internal social media to recap the week’s key points.
Internal communications are the backbone of a strong workplace culture, but traditional approaches only go so far. By using these five practices — employee-led content creation, reverse mentoring, gamification, anonymous feedback loops, and micro-videos — you can foster stronger connections and better engagement across your organization.
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About the Author: Carlanda Jones is a communications strategist, health and science communication specialist, and versatile content expert. She’s based in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. area.