Frequency

In this episode of Frequency the conversation starts with a question of simplicity in internal communication with frontline teams. Chuck Gose and Jenni Field also look at how AT&T’s CEO responded to employee feedback on RTO, how one UK council turned a retiring employee into an AI chatbot, and what internal comms can learn from the surprising power of perceived effort in B2B marketing.

They discuss how some of these stories highlight bigger things to consider for internal communicators and what really needs to be done to build trust. Jenni wraps up the episode with a reflection on employee engagement stats for the last 25 years and how they have never got close to 50% - ever! 

Links and articles this week

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

Why are managers miserable? Why isn’t hybrid working? Is there a link between manager engagement and the success of hybrid work? 

These are some of the questions Chuck Gose and Jenni Field try to answer in this week's episode. 

They discuss the importance of supportive leadership, the challenges of hybrid work, and the role of technology in enhancing communication. They explore recent research findings on manager engagement and employee satisfaction with internal communication, as well as whether paying for meeting room space is a good or bad thing for workplace culture. 

The conversation also touches on the issue of loneliness at work and how it relates to communication practices and the desire for meaningful connection at work.

Links and articles mentioned in this episode: 

In this episode of Frequency, Chuck Gose and Jenni Field discuss the recent controversy surrounding the CEO of Astronomer at a Coldplay concert, exploring themes of leadership, workplace culture, and the public's reaction. 

They delve into the issue of judginess in communication, the challenges of navigating constant change in organizations, and the importance of employee feedback in rebuilding trust. 

The conversation also touches on the red flags of bad bosses and the real reasons behind return-to-office mandates, emphasizing the need for honesty and transparency in leadership. 

Links and articles mentioned in this episode: 

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

Jenni Field and Chuck Gose kick off this episode delving into the concept of 'quiet cracking,' a new term for unnoticed workplace burnout. 

The conversation shifts to the challenges of authenticity in corporate communication, emphasizing the need for credible leadership and that honesty and compassion are key to a communicator's success. 

They also explore positive trends in the internal communication job market and address the concerning statistic that only 20% of employees trust their organization's leadership, questioning the reasons behind this lack of trust and the implications for organizational culture.

Links and articles mentioned in this episode:

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

Today’s episode sees Chuck and Jenni dig into a theme that keeps getting louder: what happens when we push AI into places it maybe shouldn’t go? Yes, the potential is exciting-but this week’s stories raise some very human questions surrounding communication, technology and leadership. 

They discuss the exec who suggested laid-off employees turn to AI for emotional support,  the evolving definition of hybrid work (is it just about location?) and the critical role of responsiveness in communication. The conversation wraps up with a discussion about the role of internal communications and what is in and outside the control of the function.

Links and articles mentioned in this episode: 

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

In this episode of Frequency, Chuck Gose and Jenni Field discuss the ongoing challenges of returning to the office, and strategies for

maintaining engagement during the summer slump. The conversation also explores generational perspectives on work and the implications of the Venice Pledge regarding ethical AI. 

They delve into whether the return to office debate is ever going to stop, and whether the quiet summer workload is a myth. A recent instagram video sparks a discussion about employee loyalty, commitment and engagement and the team unpack the recent Venice pledge and whether it will translate into action and impact. 

The episode concludes with personal reflections and 'freakouts' about common workplace phrases that annoy Chuck and the importance of finding balance in decision-making in a world of extremes

Links and articles mentioned in this episode: 

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

In this episode of Frequency, hosts Jenni Field and Chuck Gose explore various topics including the concept of 'collywobbles', the importance of employee experience, and the impact of workplace culture on financial performance. 

They discuss the Icology Flyover Festival taking place in August, a unique event aimed at internal communicators, and delve into a report revealing that 97% of employees feel the need to hide parts of themselves at work. 

The conversation also touches on the disconnect in AI adoption within companies and the need for leaders to create environments that foster employee happiness - something Jenni feels strongly about! 

They explore the complexities of trust in AI, the importance of understanding AI proficiency, and how organizations like Amazon are addressing these issues: the necessity of upskilling in the workplace, the evolving nature of dress codes, and the ethical implications of using voting systems in events. 

The conversation also touches on the significance of appearance in professional settings and the need for clear guidelines as how we dress for work has changed - anyone ok with Crocs in the office? 

Links and articles mentioned in this episode:

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

Chuck Gose and Jenni Field discuss some of the latest research and insights this week covering AI and cultural intelligence, how to protect cultures and what employee advocacy really is. They kick off the conversation with the latest piece of research from the Institute of Internal Communication which is showing a real mix of positive and negative news for the industry. 

Exploring employee advocacy and the role of the communicator in creating it,Chuck shares strong views on how we have got this so wrong. 

The conversation explores some of the latest thinking in applying the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) model to AI and whether or not you should get rid of disruptive people in the workplace. 

If you think there is something they should be talking about, get in touch on LinkedIn and let them know!

Links and articles mentioned in this episode: 

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

Chuck and Jenni have both been on the road in the last week attending the IABC World Conference in Vancouver and Atomicon in Newcastle in the UK, and they kick off this episode with some of their reflections and learnings from both. 

Throughout the episode they reflect on the changing nature of workplace culture, the importance of meaningful connections, and the challenges of presenteeism. The conversation touches on Jim Collins' concept of 'Good is the enemy of Great' and the need for companies to strive for superior results and lasting impact. 

They explore the evolving expectations of employees regarding work social events and the signals that leaders send about taking time off when you’re sick. In this episode they discuss the challenges of workplace illness in a remote and hybrid world and the expectations placed on employees by leadership. 

They get into some recent research that shows the impact of gender bias in reporting misconduct in the workplace, with the conversation turning to the history of the witch trials! 

Finally, they address the rapid adoption of AI in organizations and the potential risks to employee autonomy and trust, emphasizing the need for thoughtful communication and support during these changes for employees.

Links and articles mentioned in this episode: 

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.

In this episode, hosts Chuck Gose and Jenni Field discuss some of the latest stories about AI, employee experience, leadership and workplace challenges. They reflect on their health and energy levels during the recording, share insights about the upcoming Comms Reboot event in Toronto on June 25, and delve into the issue of negative signaling on social media.

The conversation transitions to the importance of employee experience in shaping organizational behavior looking at some of the latest research into the link between the two.

Jenni recently attended the Gallagher London Summit and shares some of the key stats and insights from the presentations across the two days. Some older stories that have bubbled up on social media are debated - specifically why venting isn’t the best thing to do to create change and they finish on a big question - how does work shift from 5 days on, 2 days off with the growing use of AI?

Links and articles mentioned in this episode:

🎶 Theme music for Frequency is “Blessed Be the Weary," produced by Poet Ali. You can find the track on Spotify, Apple Music, and wherever you stream music. We're grateful to Poet for setting the tone with his powerful, reflective sound.