Hey there, I'm Devin!
Most of the time you can catch me deep in the world of internal comms at Workshop (yes, the Happy Mondays folks!), and while I love AI, there are just some comms questions that need a human who really gets it… that’s me!
Devin, I find myself become more and more jaded with internal communications. Not the people that I work with, or the great people who are visible in the IC industry, but just in the work itself. I feel like I’ve been spinning my wheels, so much so that I’m looking at opportunities to get into a different industry.
Do you have any advice for how to reclaim some of the fire I had for internal communications and the value for what we do? How do I keep fighting the good fight?
First, I just want to say: you’re definitely not alone. You’re far from the first person who’s shared this feeling with me, and I hope there’s at least a tiny bit of comfort in knowing that. This kind of burnout shows up a lot in internal comms.
Part of the reason (in my humble opinion) is that communication is one of the most complex parts of being human. Despite all the books, podcasts, studies, and frameworks that tell us how to do it well… it’s still hard and messy and constantly evolving. As internal communicators, we’re doing our best to keep up with that speed — all while processing, translating, and refining information, often without a lot of recognition or public kudos (if that’s your thing).
When I’m feeling bogged down by the work, what helps most is finding a tangible thread between what I’m doing and how it actually shapes the employee experience. Not metrics, but the real, human impact. Maybe open enrollment goes off without a hitch because your comms made it simple. Maybe a tricky leadership transition feels smooth because you helped shape the narrative and timing. Maybe a longtime employee gets a meaningful shoutout at All Hands because you pushed for more personal storytelling. These moments might not have your name on them, but they have your fingerprints all over them. That’s the kind of impact that’s easy to overlook in the day-to-day — and really energizing to recognize.
I also try to remind myself that this work (like anything else) has seasons. You won’t feel fired up all the time, and you don’t need to. Sometimes just doing the work is enough. That’s still showing up.
And when you do have a little energy to give, it can help to take on something small that sparks curiosity. Is there a cross-functional project you could support? A task force that needs a comms voice? A side project that aligns with a passion area — like employee resource groups, external events, or employee learning and development? You don’t have to wait for permission. Try pitching it as a limited-time experiment or a teeny percentage of your bandwidth. These kinds of projects can bring fresh perspective without blowing up your whole role.
And if, after all that, you still feel ready to pivot? That’s okay too. It doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re listening to yourself and that matters just as much. Pinky promise!
