Recent findings from the Heritage Pulse Monitor (October 2024) highlighted some important communication gaps within heritage organisations. Most notably, staff members not in leadership positions express less confidence in their organisations’ ability to adapt to financial pressures.
The survey also revealed that voluntary organisations face particular challenges, with respondents reporting lower scores in understanding their objectives and feeling valued by their communities.
Understanding the communication challenge
The confidence gap between leadership and other team members often stems from differences in access to information and understanding of organisational strategy. Clear, consistent internal communication can help bridge this divide. Here are some practical resources for improving communication flow:
The RACI Matrix – Looking to clarify roles and communication responsibilities within your organisation? This matrix is intended mainly for projects rather than day-to-day, but can be useful in helping organisations to be more conscious of internal communications. Who needs to be informed? Who needs to be consulted? RACI helps determine this. This overview of the RACI framework offers practical insights. Watch the video guide here
Six Steps to Better Internal Communication – Seeking practical steps to enhance collaboration and communication? This article from Ticketsolve offers recommendations for improving internal communication – Read the recommendations here
Why this matters
When team members across all levels understand organisational challenges and strategies, they are better equipped to:
- Contribute meaningfully to solutions
- Feel confident about organisational direction
- Understand their role in achieving objectives
- Share in the organisation’s mission
