Something occurred to me while listening to the ChurchMag Podcast episode, “How To Manage A Multi-Author Blog“. I might have thought about it before but definitely not in the terms I am today. While talking about the role of an editor, I can’t remember whether it was Eric or Jeremy, maybe both, who said one of the roles of an editor was to help authors / contributors better. I like that idea a lot. It got me thinking about an overlooked but critical function of a communications director.
Don’t Get Hung Up On The Title
Whether your church has the role in same title or someone who performs this function, for our purposes now, isn’t the focus. In some instances, the editor or comms gatekeeper is the same person or function. Like the role of an editor is important a communications director is important.
This person becomes the custodian or your church / organization’s voice and tone. Though every team or staff member is your reputation’s guardian, it’s this particular person’s responsibility. So, they not only oversee internal and external communications but they’re responsible for making everyone better communicators.
The Critical Role Of A Comms Director
Communications directors, like editors, help communicators clarify their message. They’re responsible for making the message clear by working with creators or contributors. Comms directors are sometimes responsible for setting the agenda of what’s communicated.
In the context of the church it doesn’t necessarily extend to teaching or sermons. If the function is taken care of at a pastoral level that’s a different story.
Having said all this, the important comms director function that is overlooked is helping everyone become better communicators. [Click to Tweet]
That’s what the critical function that’s often overlooked. Communications teams should be more than dispatching information or deciding how it should go out. They’re also responsible for helping others get better at communicating. That should expand the job description of many comms directors.
Coaching
Communications directors must also be coaches. They don’t only call plays but help the players become better. This will not only make the players better but improve the quality of communication internally and externally. This is can include scheduling regular training. It might mean studying and understanding communications and communicators in your organization.
What are hindrances to effective communication internally and externally? How can you help individuals flourish in their unique communication styles? What is it you could do to make your organization and those serving in it better communicators?
The Thing…
Comms person, besides asking yourself, “What are we or should we be communicating?”, ask, “How can I help communicators in my team, church / organization get better this month?”
What are other comms director function do you think is overlooked?
Speak your mind...