Voices from the Field: Shaping a Culture That Connects Everyone

Insights From Dawn Moore, Group People and Communications Director, Murphy Group

When it comes to engaging a workforce spread across countries, time zones, and generations, few leaders face a challenge quite like the one tackled by Murphy Group. At the recent Employee Engagement Summit, attendees at the Internal Communications stage were treated to an inspiring session that showed just how far creativity, curiosity, and connection can take you.

This week’s Employee Engagement Podcast dives into this incredible story, and trust us – you’ll want to hear every minute.

Listening first, transforming later

Dawn Moore, the Group People and Communications Director at Murphy Group, opened with a refreshingly honest reflection on the company’s starting point. With employees in remote locations – from the Canadian Rockies to the Texan desert – many had no regular access to email, intranet, or even a smartphone signal. Yet, these were the very people that kept the lights on, the operations running, and the projects moving forward. Traditional communication strategies simply weren’t cutting it.

What changed everything was a conversation with Reg, a veteran employee who had spent over four decades at Murphy Group. Reg pointed out that most communication efforts missed the mark because no one had asked people like him what actually worked. His simple wisdom – “a letter or a noticeboard near the kettle goes further than an email” – sparked a revolution in Dawn’s approach.

From one voice to many

Taking Reg’s advice to heart, Dawn’s team built a multichannel communication model grounded in listening. Eleven targeted channels now meet employees where they are, with formats ranging from printed newsletters to mobile apps and social campaigns.

Enter Cameron, affectionately known as “Phone Lad” – a digital-native field worker whose enthusiasm for mobile comms balanced Reg’s love for analogue. Their collaboration became a symbol of how intergenerational connections can bridge gaps and make communication more inclusive and effective.

Supervisors like George, often the “connective tissue” between corporate and operational teams, were equipped with new communication tools and training. This investment in middle management led to a 20% uplift in engagement among those once considered the hardest to reach.

Building advocacy, bottom-up

Dawn emphasised that great communication doesn’t start with sending – it starts with asking. By empowering advocates like Reg and Cameron, and by upskilling middle managers, Murphy Group has built a sustainable culture of shared responsibility for communication.

Digital tools still matter, she explained, but only when they include everyone. From a redesigned website reflecting the realities of field work to celebrating employee stories on LinkedIn, the company turned internal communications into authentic public advocacy.

The takeaways that resonate

Dawn left the audience with five key lessons that any organisation can apply:

• Start by asking employees what matters to them.
• Identify grassroots advocates to build momentum.
• Equip middle managers to communicate effectively.
• Use digital thoughtfully and inclusively.
• Never underestimate the power of traditional channels.

Her closing message was equal parts humble and hopeful: if Murphy Group, with its far-flung workforce and complex operations, can achieve deep engagement, any organisation can – if they truly listen.

Want to hear Dawn’s full story, including her conversation with “unofficial comms strategist” Reg and “Phone Lad” Cameron? Tune in to the Podcast episode now and get inspired to reshape the way your organisation communicates.

To register your interest for the 2026 Engage Employee Summit click here: https://www.engageemployee.com/engage-employee-summit-registration