Colleague Experience & Engagement

Since the start of 2025, many organisations have reduced or cancelled DEI activities in deference to the rise of illiberalism across the globe. Already marginalised groups are increasingly nervous that a new wave of right-wing politicians is endorsing racism, sexism, homophobia and other prejudices. In this episode, Dom, Jen and Cat meet with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, to explore why inclusion remains a mission-critical issue for organisational performance.

Today, a constant stream of corporate scandals show the extent to which a lack of oversight causes chaos, disruption, sizeable financial losses or worse, loss of life. But in the lead up to such events, how many people will have been privy to impropriety but felt unwilling or unable to speak up? This episode, Jen and Cat are joined by Shaun Keep and Paul Adams, co-founders of Say-So, an organisation helping employees voice legitimate safety and wellbeing concerns, safely and anonymously.

‘Busyness’ is increasingly seen as a badge of honour and productivity is regularly measured and rewarded at work. Despite all we now know about workplace stress, anxiety and burnout, we seem to be doing little to address the destructive pace at which we are living our lives. In this episode, Jen, Dom and Cat chat with Megan Reitz and John Higgins about their latest research, on the topic of spaciousness and how to find it.

We have made huge progress in the last decade to open up workplace discourse about formerly taboo topics. When we bring sensitive issues out of the darkness, people no longer need to suffer in silence.

BUT, we seem still afraid to talk about cancer. Despite being a leading cause of death and illness worldwide, we are still loathe to discuss it, and this easily leads to misunderstanding. This episode seeks to address that.

In the first episode of series 13 of the Future of Internal Communication podcast, Jen chats with Dr. Sarah Pass from Nottingham Business School. Sarah is also on the board of Engage for Success and co-leads its annual survey. In this conversation, they explore the crucial link between internal communication and colleague engagement and examine this year’s research findings.

In a new episode of the Future of Internal Communication podcast, Jen, Dom and Cat speak to Megan Reitz and John Higgins, co-authors of Speak Up: Say What Needs to be Said and Hear What Needs to be Heard. They explore the role of colleague voice in engagement and look at the role of internal communication in helping organisations become better equipped to hear – and leverage – the views that matter.