The Perks of Being a One-Person Powerhouse

Yes, having a robust internal communication (IC) team with diverse skill sets and perspectives is ideal. For many in this profession though, we spend quite a bit of our time on a journey to growing our teams. Along that journey, it’s OK to relish the perks of being a solo professional.

Here are a few I’d like to call out:

• Agility—With just you on the team, you can move quickly when needed and make decisions without consulting with or delegating to other IC pros. You can turn on a dime if you need to respond promptly to changing situations, adapt your communication strategies, and quickly implement ideas.

• Autonomy—Your vision and your expertise are what’s driving the now, near, and next approach to IC. You can experiment, take risks, and implement innovative approaches without the need for extensive consensus or buy-in from a large team. This can empower you to be more creative, strategic, and proactive.

• Flexibility—As a team of one, you’re both the strategist and tactician. This means you must keep your skills sharp in both areas. One minute you’re counseling executives on organizational alignment, the next you’re creating content for the weekly newsletter. You’ll certainly maintain a well-rounded skill set and a holistic understanding of IC as a function.

• Ownership—As a team of one, you have a unique sense of ownership and accountability for IC’s success. This can be motivating and empowering, as you are solely responsible for the outcomes and impact of your work. You have the autonomy to set goals, measure results, and continuously improve your communication strategies, knowing that your efforts directly contribute to your organization’s success.

Coming into an organization in the early stages of their IC journey means you can make it your own. Yes, there are downsides to go with the upsides. With you and your expertise, you can create a firm foundation for the function—one that makes building the case for added head count even easier.