Making leadership visible, accessible and actively involved

14 Nov, 2025

Written By SWOOP Analytics

What this session was about

ACC needed more two-way communication and better visibility of leaders. Sam shared how they secured full exec buy-in, rebuilt leadership communication habits, and turned Viva Engage into their core communications channel.

Key messages

  • ACC launched Viva Engage as a response to employee need.
    Staff wanted more visibility, more authentic leadership posts, and a place to ask questions.
  • They built a strong business case for the executive team.
    A simple, clear, evidence-based deck secured unanimous approval.
  • They replaced “Outlook-style” CEO updates with Engage announcements.
    This was a major signal that Engage was now the source of organisational communication.
  • The CEO modelled the behaviour early.
    His posts reached 85% of the organisation, setting a performance benchmark for others.
  • Exec onboarding was done 1:1 and highly personalised.
    Sam sat with each leader to set up their device, walk through how to post, and answer concerns.
  • Publishing support was available (via EAs and advisors).
    Leaders could post themselves or delegate without stigma.
  • Clear expectations were set for each exec community:
    • What they would post
    • How often
    • What employees could expect
    • How they were expected to respond and engage
  • Communities were created using pre-existing SharePoint groups.
    Ensuring membership was accurate, automatically maintained, and low effort.
  • Internal comms acted as business partners, not content police.
    They coached leaders, co-created content, and stayed close to each business unit.
  • Momentum and sentiment improved rapidly.
    Engagement rose across multiple regions, and leaders became more proactive and confident.

What can you take from this

  • Executive engagement isn’t magic — it’s onboarding, expectation-setting and follow-up.
  • Leaders need to see themselves on Viva Engage before they believe in it.
  • Communities thrive when they’re built around real people, not structure charts.
  • Consistent leadership behaviour normalises two-way communication.
  • Culture shifts when internal comms becomes a partner, not a publisher.

Download the slides

Meet the speaker:

Sam Parker
Senior Communications, Channels & Content Specialist
LinkedIn

Session Highlights

  1. Q&A Panel (All AMER speakers)

    • Date: 14 November 2025

  2. Why communities win: How culture and connection fuel productivity

    • Date: 14 November 2025
      This session, Ray takes us through why communities at Eli Lilly reach beyond broadcast communications to drive engagement and innovation and spark imagination.

  3. Moderation that matters: Building safe and engaging communities

    • Date: 14 November 2025
      Discover how smart moderation keeps conversations constructive and communities thriving at Siemens Energy.

  4. Leadership engagement and top-down communication in driving adoption of Viva Engage

    • Date: 14 November 2025
      Dan shares lessons from a decade of internal communications, exploring the shift from traditional email and town halls to dynamic, community-driven conversations.