As I step down from the role of IoIC president, I wanted to reflect on these past 12 years. It’s a weird feeling to be honest, because it’s not like I’m leaving or stepping back from the IoIC.
There are ongoing projects I’m working on and new ones to come, which is exciting! And it’s my choice to resign as president, but still, leaving the role is a huge wrench.
Because, it’s genuinely been one of the highlights of my working life to serve as IoIC’s president.
When I joined the organisation as a member 40 years ago, I was in my first corporate job, new to internal comms and felt very isolated. I joined the IoIC because I wanted community and connection with like-minded peers who could help me to learn about internal comms and to develop professionally.
And those two initial drivers - community and connection - most come to mind when I’m thinking about the past 12 years.
Community, because while being president is focused on shaping, governance, steering and advising, the real value comes from being part of a team. Working alongside CEO Jennifer, with the Board, with the head office team and the Governance Group, means that the collective wisdom from these experts with such diverse experiences has been really rewarding.
Also, being a part of something big and ambitious, working towards a clear, collective goal is a powerful motivator and it’s pushed me to keep learning and to be challenged – all in a good way.
Secondly, connection, because nurturing networks and relationships old and new has been a key part of being president.
I’ve always been a big believer that you get out more than you put in. I’ve been an IoIC volunteer for most of my 40 years of membership, and the connections, contacts and personal friendships I’ve made in this time means I’ve had just the best advice and support on speed-dial when needed.
Connecting with our new Fellows and with people at our IoIC events has also been valuable as opportunities to listen and talk with members about their own challenges and experiences plus their thoughts on what they want from their professional association.
So, 12 years on, I’m struck not just by how much has changed, but by how much we’ve grown — as an institute and as a profession navigating its way through the evolving world of work.
Within the IoIC, membership has more than doubled, proving the lasting value of community and connection that professional associations bring. We’ve adapted to meet evolving member needs, from re-imagining the annual festival and pivoting to offering even more training, to expanding regional networking opportunities and useful practical resources.
I’m proud to have been the initial ‘connector’ with Ipsos Karian & Box that led to the formation of The IC Index Report, now in its third year and providing unique and actionable insights into what employees really want from internal communication and their organisations.
And I’m very proud of how the internal comms profession and the IoIC responded in the pandemic. For example, the IoIC was part of the Government’s COVID-19 communications advisory group, elevating and demonstrating the critical nature of our work in listening and engaging with stakeholders.
IC was ‘mission critical’ to organisations during and after the pandemic. How can we keep that momentum? To be highly ranked and of value we have to be open, flexible and responsive to the change around us, even when change is now constant in many organisations.
We need to find ways to prove our value through real, measurable business outcomes; to be the indispensable function that amplifies employee voice, champions strategic clarity and transparency, and supports leadership authenticity.
We do have the skills and knowledge to build this community and connection – not just through the channels, technology, platform and tools we now have – but through our real interest in and understanding of the power of human connection.
Every IC professional I have met is really good at building relationships and human connection, both crucial for business. Technology can’t replace this or replicate this.
Signing off, I hope that I developed the role of president into something useful for the IoIC that we are now, rather than for the IoIC that we used to be, and that I brought connection as well as helping to build a sense of community.
Thank you for having me and for working with me, especially to Jen and the IoIC Boards and HQ teams past and present.
I’m not going to wish new president Dominic Walters luck. Firstly, we’ve worked together in various IoIC roles for more than 20 years, so I know he is going to be just brilliant as president to help IoIC achieve its ambitions. And secondly, I’m sure he’s just going to have a ball – just like I did.
I’m looking forward to supporting him, the Board and the wider IoIC team. Thank you.
