July 28, 2024 by Mike Manazir – (4-5 minutes)

Sarah Thompson, newly minted CEO of Baxter’s Bricks, stood in front of her bewildered team holding a large, colorful beach ball. The backdrop of the conference room was now adorned with posters that screamed, “Brick by Brick, We Build Dreams!” rather than the usual dreary financial graphs. Sarah’s quirky approach was part of her master plan to revolutionize internal communications at the struggling company.

“Alright, team!” she began, spinning the beach ball in her hands. “Today, we start with something fun. This ball is our talking stick. Whoever holds it gets to speak their mind—no holds barred!”

The room, initially skeptical, responded with a mix of laughter and curiosity. Frank from logistics, always the quiet one, was the first to catch the ball. He stood up, awkwardly at first, but soon found his footing.

“I, uh, just want to say that this new vision is… refreshing. And these meetings are way better than the old ones.

Sarah beamed, clapping enthusiastically. “Exactly, Frank! Open communication and having fun are key to our success. Now, let’s dive into how we’re going to build dreams—together!”

This new approach was a stark contrast to the previous regime’s communication style, which was as dry as the mortar between their bricks. Sarah knew that for the turnaround to stick, she needed to keep the momentum going. She initiated weekly “Brick Talks,” casual Friday meetings where employees could share their ideas, challenges, and successes. But these weren’t your typical corporate gatherings.

One Friday, Sarah walked in wearing a construction hat and handed out miniature Lego sets to everyone. “Today’s topic: Creativity in Problem Solving. Build something that represents a recent challenge and how you overcame it.” The room buzzed with activity and laughter as grown adults eagerly snapped bricks together.

Jenny from marketing proudly displayed her Lego castle. “This,” she announced, “represents our campaign’s success in attracting new clients despite a tight budget. We built it one brick at a time, just like our new slogan!”

The team erupted in applause, and Sarah took the opportunity to reinforce the vision. “Brick by brick, everyone! That’s how we achieve our dreams.” Outside of these meetings, Sarah maintained her open-door policy. Her office, filled with plants and sunlight, became a hub of activity. Employees felt comfortable dropping by to share ideas or concerns. Sarah’s favorite phrase, “Let’s build on that,” became a mantra, encouraging continuous improvement and innovation.

One memorable incident involved an overly enthusiastic email chain about a new product launch. When the chain grew to an unwieldy length, Sarah playfully intervened with an email titled “Brick Spam,” featuring a GIF of bricks cascading down the screen. “While I love the enthusiasm,” she wrote,”let’s keep our inboxes as neat as our brick lines. How about we discuss this over a Brick Talk?”

The team loved her sense of humor and took the hint. The email chaos transformed into productive face-to-face discussions, reinforcing the importance of clear and efficient communication.

Sarah also introduced the “Brick Bulletin,” a weekly internal newsletter that highlighted team achievements, shared important updates, and featured a “Brick of the Week” section where employees could nominate colleagues for their outstanding contributions. The newsletter was peppered with fun facts about bricks, company trivia, and occasional office gossip—tastefully edited, of course.

Months passed, and the transformation at Baxter’s Bricks was palpable. The company culture had shifted from one of routine drudgery to dynamic engagement. The new vision had taken root, and the sense of purpose was tangible in employee interactions.

One day, as Sarah walked through the bustling office, she overheard a snippet of conversation that warmed her heart.

“Can you believe how far we’ve come?” said Tom from finance, holding a cup of coffee. “Sarah’s right—we really are building dreams here, one brick at a time.”

Smiling, Sarah knew that the turnaround wasn’t just a one-time event but an ongoing journey. With effective internal communication and a touch of humor, she had laid the foundation for a bright future at Baxter’s Bricks… one brick at a time.

Effective internal communication requires consistent engagement, openness, creativity, and a sense of humor. Regular informal meetings like”Brick Talks,” an open-door policy, and creative activities help maintain a dynamic and connected workplace. Tools like the “Brick Bulletin” can keep everyone informed and celebrated. It requires transparency, encouraging participation, and continuously reinforcing the company’s vision and sense of purpose.

“Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.“

-Jim Rohn

Lead from your heart. Lead to Win.

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