Dear comms...

The hardest part of building a high-performing team isn't creating the team... but how you make the change last.  In the final episode of this series, Imogen and Amanda talk about why improvements unravel (it's usually not about willingness), what structure actually looks like in practice without tipping into bureaucracy, and why leadership behaviour matters far more than any document ga...

Clarity on paper means nothing if it doesn't change how people actually work. Now we've worked through the purpose of the team, let's make it reality.  In this episode, Imogen and Amanda get into the mechanics of day-to-day performance: why most teams fail not because of strategy but because they don't talk to each other properly, how a simple "now, next, later" rhyth...

Most teams aren't short on motivation. What they're missing is clarity. Clarity on purpose, priorities, roles, and how decisions get made. In this episode, Imogen and Amanda look at what alignment actually means in practice (and no, it's not all about workshops and piles of Post-it notes).  They cover the difference between a corporate purpose and a team purpose, why implied ownersh...

Before you can fix a team, you have to understand it. Not what you assume is happening - what's actually happening.  In this episode, Imogen and Amanda talk about how to diagnose the real causes of underperformance: why anonymous surveys rarely tell you what you need to know, why leaders say they want honesty but often struggle with what comes back, and why the most revealing answers are ofte...

Most teams don't fail dramatically. They fade quietly. Work feels harder than it should, decisions drag on, everyone's busy but nothing's quite moving. In the first episode of our series on high-performing teams, Imogen and Amanda unpick the early warning signs that something's not right - and explain why jumping straight to solutions usually makes things worse. If your team is...

For the final episode of our storytelling series, we’re pulling everything together into ten practical, no-nonsense tips you can use straight away. Whether you’re trying to spark action, shift behaviour, calm nerves, or get leaders on board, these are the essentials every communicator needs. We’ll even give you tips on how to sell storytelling into even the most sceptical leader.  Imogen Hitchcock...

Think your organisation is story-free? Think again! In this episode, we’ll show you where you can find stories and how you can connect them to action. We’ll look at Steve Denning’s eight narrative patterns and look at why your stories aren’t working the way you want.  By the end of this episode, you’ll know where to look for stories and how to choose one that’ll actually work.  If you'd like...

You’ve done your prep. You’ve survived the science. Now it’s time to actually build a story. Hoorah!  In this episode, we break down the six key ingredients every story needs — from characters and conflict to that all-important “secret weapon.” We’ll show you how to use a simple narrative arc that works for any corporate message (yes, even launching a new data management system). An episode which...

In the second episode of our storytelling series, we’re still not letting you write anything. Nope, we’re heading into your brain first.  In this episode, we unpack the science behind why storytelling works — and why facts alone won’t make people care. From cavemen to cortisol, dopamine to data, we explore how stories light up your brain and why numbers need meaning. Motto of the episode: “you can...

Everyone loves to say “we need a story.” Fewer people stop to ask why. In this first episode of our five-part storytelling series, we take a step back from the shiny stuff — the metaphors, the structure, the hero’s journey — and talk about the prep that actually makes stories work. We’ll unpack why audience and objective are your storytelling anchors, why content pillars are your secret weapon, an...

Government affairs is something that used to be done behind closed doors (or over long lunches). Not anymore. In this special bonus episode, we're joined by Katarina Wallin Bureau - General Manager of Strategic Relations at Microsoft - to unpack how government affairs, communications, purpose, and influence now sit firmly on top of each other. Katarina shares what effective policy engagement ...

If you’ve ever wished for a crisis handbook you could keep in your top drawer - this is probably as close as it gets. In the final episode of our Crisis Series, we bring everything together into ten practical rules to help you lead, communicate, and stay sane when things go very wrong. Whether you’ve been with us since the first episode or you’ve skipped straight to the cheat-sheet, this conversat...

The headlines have faded, but the real work’s only just beginning. In this episode, Imogen and Amanda look at what happens once the immediate crisis has passed - and how to rebuild trust for the long term. They share their three Rs framework - review, rebuild, reassure - and unpack what meaningful recovery looks like in practice: visible leadership, clear communication, and consistent follow-up. W...

What do you say when everything’s going wrong — and how do you say it without sounding like a corporate robot? In this episode of Dear Comms… , Imogen and Amanda dig into the language of crisis. From holding statements and empathy to legal sign-off and tone, they explore what makes a message land when the pressure’s on. Expect practical frameworks (the four Cs: concern, control, clarity, commitmen...

In the second episode of our crisis comms series, we're now in the thick of it. The phone's ringing, your inbox is having a meltdown, and someone's just uttered "Crisis Team - Assemble!) We'll break down how you handle those first chaotic hours, how to tell if it’s really a crisis or just a very noisy issue, and why the best teams make decisions fast (and avoid endless com...

When a crisis hits, it’s rarely out of the blue. In the first episode of our crisis comms series, we'll look at “before”. Before it all goes wrong, that is. We'll explore how to spot trouble early, prepare your teams, and protect your reputation. We'll talk about slow-burn issues, how to create a culture where people are happy to speak up, and give you some practical tools you can p...

Why is it that leaders still flinch when they hear the word “storytelling”? And why do comms teams so often find themselves fighting to prove it isn’t just fluff? In this episode of Dear Comms… , we sit down with Rachael Warner — comms trainer, writer, and founder of what she calls “zero-bullshit communications” — to unpack the myths, fears, and real opportunities around storytelling at work. Toge...

Why does it always feel that comms and legal are at loggerheads when we’re meant to be protecting the same business? In this candid chat with Julian Hilton-Johnson (who's both an ex-lawyer and an ex-global comms lead), we unpack the tension. Legal precision vs public clarity, “sign-off” culture vs partnership, and risk avoidance vs opportunity. Expect practical fixes, horror stories, and why...

You’ve spent years leading communications. You know how to shape a message, manage a crisis, coach leaders,  bring clarity where there’s chaos. But what if all that experience was just the beginning — and your next chapter looked nothing like your current one?  In this episode of Dear Comms… , we talk to Jocelyn Penque-Saunders, a former global comms leader who walked away from the corporate world...

When you think politician, you don't often think "honesty, transparency, straight answers"... but that doesn't mean that there's nothing to learn from our political friends.  In this episode, we’re joined by Daisy Powell-Chandler, political strategist turned corporate comms adviser and host of Why Everybody Hates You . Daisy shares what decades in campaigning have taught h...

Some people excel at making choices. Others freeze. Or, worse, overthink their decision to death. In the world of comms, too often we're stuck in an endless feedback loop with no one willing to actually give the ok. But it doesn't have to be this way!  In this episode, we’re joined by journalist, author, and decision coach Nell Wulfhart to talk about how to cut through the noise and choo...

Now that you've got that Cliff Richard classic in your brain... The TL;DL (too long; didn't listen) is that we're taking some holiday time. But this short announcement also contains some tantalizing teasers as to some upcoming episodes of Dear Comms... Imogen Hitchcock and Amanda Pierce  have a clear purpose: creating communications (and communicators) that spark action, drive growt...

Working for a company with a difficult reputation (or thinking about it)? You’re not alone.  In this episode, Imogen and Amanda dig into the reality of saying yes to jobs in industries like pharma, tobacco, military, or alcohol. They talk ethics, opportunity, and how to know if it’s worth the trade-offs. They share personal stories, practical questions to ask before you accept, and advice for when...

Giving feedback might give you the ick, but it’s part and parcel of a leadership role.  In this episode of Dear Comms , Amanda and Imogen dig into the art of giving feedback that’s honest and helpful. From clumsy delivery to vague advice, we talk through the pitfalls and share practical ways to say what needs saying—without losing your nerve or your team’s trust.  Links you didn't ask for but...

 You asked for feedback but you’re not sure why you bothered? We hear you.  In this episode of Dear Comms , Amanda and Imogen explore what to do when feedback is bad, blurry, or simply not there. We talk about how to stay grounded, get what you need from feedback, and develop a feedback culture you want to work in. Whether you’re craving clarity, or need help dodging a curveball, we’ve got you cov...