4 essential summer reads for in-house communicators

When I worked in-house, I loved the month of August. Once the half-year results were out of the way, most of the execs and leadership team would disappear on holiday. My inbox would quieten down, and there were no major deliverables and no point, really, with so many people off.

It was the one time of year where there was space to think, plan, and catch up on my reading. So, as this column takes a short summer break as of next week, here are a few titles currently on my TBR (to be read) pile that I’d recommend if you’re looking for something to read over the summer and looking to better understand people, change and leadership.

1. Neuroscience for Organisational Change, by Hilary Scarlett (3rd edition)

It’s over a decade since I first saw Hilary speak about neuroscience and organisational change, and her work has shaped how I approach change ever since. The book is evidence-based, practical, and refreshingly free from what one contributor calls the “usual psychofluff” sometimes found in comms and HR. The latest edition includes a new chapter on organisational change with neurodiverse teams a vital and often overlooked perspective.

2. Managing and Leading People Through Organisational Change, by Julie Hodges (3rd edition)

Julie is professor of organisational change at Durham University Business School, and again is someone whose work I refer to regularly. I was honoured to be asked to contribute a case study to this edition, and I’m looking forward to seeing it in print when it’s published on 3 August.

This third edition includes new findings on the changing world of work and explores the impact of AI, hybrid working and includes new chapters on positive mental health and wellbeing as we lead people through change. 

3. Internal Communications in Times of Crisis, by Alison Arnot

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the role of internal comms in a crisis and someone pointed me in the direction of this new book. Alison writes about the importance of securing employee trust, support and advocacy in crisis situations. There’s not a lot written about crisis comms from an internal comms perspective. Most books focus on external stakeholders so I’m looking forward to diving into this one.

4. We Need New Leaders, by Charlotte Otter

Charlotte is former VP of communications at SAP. Her book makes the case for reputation management as an essential leadership skill, not just for CEOs but for communicators too. There’s a chapter on the relationship between the CEO and chief communications officer and great advice to network, especially beyond your industry, before you need to. Working on your reputation, she says, is like taking vitamins: you may not notice the effect immediately, but it builds resilience for the future.

I hope that helps if you’re on the lookout for something to read this summer. Let me know what you think if you pick any of these up, and if you have any recommendations of your own.

See you in a couple of weeks.