When does internal communication transcend message delivery and start shaping who an organisation truly is? That was the question explored in one of the most compelling sessions on the Internal Communications stage at the Engage Employee Summit. Bringing together leaders from the London Stock Exchange Group, Arup, and Ørsted, this conversation revealed how strategic communication builds trust, belonging, and performance from the inside out. If you missed it, the full discussion is now available as a podcast — and it’s well worth a listen.
Natasha Liedl-McDowell set the tone by reminding us that internal communications aren’t a side function — they’re the heartbeat of organisational culture. She described how at the London Stock Exchange Group, open dialogue between leadership and employees has built confidence, connection, and pride. By cultivating spaces for leaders to tackle difficult questions transparently, Natasha explained, teams start to feel safe, heard, and genuinely valued. That sense of authenticity is what ultimately translates into stronger customer loyalty: when employees love the company, customers do too.
Shalini Gupta took us inside Arup’s world — a global employee-owned business that lives its values across continents. She outlined the challenge of bringing strategy to life across the UK, India, and Africa, where culture shapes communication style as much as content. In practical terms, this means moving beyond polished presentations to real conversations. Shalini highlighted how local nuance, dialogue, and leadership involvement ensure that messages don’t just land — they live.
From a different perspective, Shetal Joshi shared how Ørsted uses a purpose-led approach to unify a diverse workforce. She explained that consistent, values-based messaging helps connect senior leaders and frontline teams within one cultural framework. Her focus on leadership role modelling and psychological safety underscored how storytelling and honest dialogue empower employees to engage actively rather than passively absorb information. Shetal’s insights on listening tours — designed to uncover workplace themes and issues that might otherwise go unseen — sparked a clear takeaway: internal communication is just as much about receiving as it is about broadcasting.
Natasha brought this to life through an inspiring example from LSEG’s global sales kickoff, where a single narrative tied together 60 countries. What made it successful, she noted, was local teams bringing that story to life through Viva Engage — sharing videos, photographs, and reflections that wove together a powerful mosaic of cultural pride.
Meanwhile, Shalini described how Arup reimagined its traditional CEO-led town halls into panel-style discussions that include early-career engineers and employees from every level. That small shift, she noted, immediately boosted engagement scores and gave people tangible ownership of company strategy. And throughout, all three panellists returned to the same truth: recognition rituals — whether a Friday High Five or a quick team huddle — turn culture from an abstract concept into a lived experience.
If you’re passionate about how communication can build culture rather than just reflect it, this session captures a masterclass in doing just that. From empathetic leadership to local adaptation and continuous listening, these leaders show that the most meaningful messages are the ones that empower people to be part of the story.
🎧 Listen to the full conversation now on the Engage Employee Examples of Excellence Podcast — and discover why purposeful communication is shaping the future of engagement.
To register for the 2026 Engage Employee Summit click here.