No Tricks. Just Fearless Communication.
Edition 4, Vol. #7 October 2025
Hi, friend,
This October I’m reminded how easily good ideas can turn into monsters. A few too many hands, a few too many “minor” changes, and suddenly the message that started with heart and clarity looks a little … stitched together.
This month’s ideas are all about keeping the life in your communication – whether that means cutting down approvals, breathing new energy into compliance or keeping your benefits conversation from going dark.
Here’s to messages that live, breathe and never haunt you later.
Stay fresh (and fearless),
Mary Pat Nimon
President
idea one
Death by consensus
Nothing kills a great message faster than too many reviewers.
A little less of this, a little more of that, a bolted-on idea or two – and you have a monster on your hands.
One leader we recently interviewed as part of a comms audit said it best: “By the time everyone’s approved it, the message has lost its voice.”
That’s the danger of over-collaboration. When every leader edits, no one leads.
Any significant communication needs one clear sponsor – an executive who owns the message, speaks for the group and protects its intent.
Everyone else? They stay informed, not involved.
To make it work:
- Clarify your sponsor early. Before writing begins.
- Define decision rights. Who approves, who’s consulted, who’s just kept in the loop?
- Sell it as efficiency. It saves leaders time and gives the team a single, confident voice to follow.
When you clarify and narrow roles, you help leaders drive clarity and engagement. With too many voices, the message simply might not make it out alive.
idea two
Your Compliance program isn’t broken. It’s boring.
Publishing policies and assigning training isn’t enough. If you want employees to live your values, they have to believe in them.
Learn why the smartest Ethics & Compliance leaders are borrowing from marketing – using story, emotion and brand to make the right choice feel natural.
idea three
What happens at the end of open enrollment?
Open enrollment may be over, but smart communicators know the conversation shouldn’t stop there. Employees have just made some of their biggest financial and personal decisions of the year. What you say next can shape how they feel about those choices.
Even a short message of reassurance, gratitude or encouragement can go a long way toward helping employees feel supported and valued.
Not sure where to start? Check out our 10 short message ideas you can send now to strengthen confidence and satisfaction after enrollment wraps.
So scary it’s true.
Low engagement scores might not mean you’re failing employees. They might mean employees don’t know what you’re already doing for them.
No Tricks. Just Fearless Communication.
Edition 4, Vol. #7 October 2025
Hi, friend,
This October I’m reminded how easily good ideas can turn into monsters. A few too many hands, a few too many “minor” changes, and suddenly the message that started with heart and clarity looks a little … stitched together.
This month’s ideas are all about keeping the life in your communication – whether that means cutting down approvals, breathing new energy into compliance or keeping your benefits conversation from going dark.
Here’s to messages that live, breathe and never haunt you later.
Stay fresh (and fearless),
Mary Pat Nimon
President
idea one
Death by consensus
Nothing kills a great message faster than too many reviewers.
A little less of this, a little more of that, a bolted-on idea or two – and you have a monster on your hands.
One leader we recently interviewed as part of a comms audit said it best: “By the time everyone’s approved it, the message has lost its voice.”
That’s the danger of over-collaboration. When every leader edits, no one leads.
Any significant communication needs one clear sponsor – an executive who owns the message, speaks for the group and protects its intent.
Everyone else? They stay informed, not involved.
To make it work:
- Clarify your sponsor early. Before writing begins.
- Define decision rights. Who approves, who’s consulted, who’s just kept in the loop?
- Sell it as efficiency. It saves leaders time and gives the team a single, confident voice to follow.
When you clarify and narrow roles, you help leaders drive clarity and engagement. With too many voices, the message simply might not make it out alive.
idea two
Your Compliance program isn’t broken. It’s boring.
Publishing policies and assigning training isn’t enough. If you want employees to live your values, they have to believe in them.
Learn why the smartest Ethics & Compliance leaders are borrowing from marketing – using story, emotion and brand to make the right choice feel natural.
idea three
What happens at the end of open enrollment?
Open enrollment may be over, but smart communicators know the conversation shouldn’t stop there. Employees have just made some of their biggest financial and personal decisions of the year. What you say next can shape how they feel about those choices.
Even a short message of reassurance, gratitude or encouragement can go a long way toward helping employees feel supported and valued.
Not sure where to start? Check out our 10 short message ideas you can send now to strengthen confidence and satisfaction after enrollment wraps.
So scary it’s true.
Low engagement scores might not mean you’re failing employees. They might mean employees don’t know what you’re already doing for them.
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Three fresh ideas (and a meme)
Our monthly take on today’s marketing and communications topics… and a little fun, too.
