Whether it’s providing timely updates from leaders or getting news out about the company to the employee base, the internal communicator’s role is expanding. New data reveals what those demands look like today, and how comms pros would like to see it evolve in 2026 — with more emphasis on shaping the context of the message instead of simply pushing out updates.
Whether it’s providing timely updates from leaders or getting news out about the company to the employee base, the internal communicator’s role is expanding. New data reveals what those demands look like today, and how comms pros would like to see it evolve in 2026 — with more emphasis on shaping the context of the message instead of simply pushing out updates.
According to the Workshop Internal Communications Trends Report 2026, when asked what types of content they’re currently serving up to their colleagues, respondents said:
- Leadership updates – 80%
- All-company news – 74%
- Surveys and interactive content – 70%
- Open enrollment – 69%
- Change management comms – 64%
However, the report also identified the types of content that internal comms pros wanted to send to their colleagues in 2026. Leadership updates topped the list of desired communication, just as they did the list of actual coms, but employee spotlights and value-reflecting content earned high marks as well.
- Leadership updates – 55%
- Employee spotlights – 50%
- Content that reflects company values – 49%
- Change management comms – 47%
- Surveys and interactive content – 43%
The data shows that there’s a gap between what internal communicators are circulating to their target audiences and the types of content they want to spend more time shaping and refining. The survey’s explanation notes said that said that the data revealed some changing priorities for comms pros.
When we asked communicators where they want to focus next year, a clear pattern emerged. The priorities shift from volume to depth, from “getting the update out” to “making the update matter.”
Additionally, the survey showed that nearly half of respondents want to see content that’s rooted in organizational values and employee pieces take a step forward in 2026. This suggests that internal communicators are seeing growing value in content that highlights a shared sense of purpose within the business and common goals. It doesn’t diminish the value of operational internal comms, but it shows that putting people at the center of the conversation can help reinforce understanding when paired with business-centric comms. When the audience can connect the business side and the people side, they get a clearer picture from their comms.
What employees value in internal communications
The report also asked internal communicators what their colleagues valued the most out of the internal comms messaging they consumed. The survey found that clarity, timing and utility were among the top priorities.
- Clear, transparent messaging – 61%
- Timely updates – 61%
- Useful resources or information – 61%
- Recognition and connection – 44%
- Fun or creative content – 25%
- Opportunities for feedback – 23%
The emphasis on clarity, timing and usefulness suggests that employees want communication that helps them understand what company updates mean for their roles and expectations. Internal comms can function less as a broadcast channel and more as a translation layer between organizational decisions by leadership and the day-to-day work of employees.
Additionally, these top stats are fundamental parts of an internal communicator’s role. They’re prerequisite building blocks to cultural elements of a comms pro’s responsibilities like recognition and creativity. When comms helps people get their jobs done well with clear and helpful messaging, the cultural elements can follow suit.
In the year that lies ahead, the internal comms pros that’ll be best positioned for success will be the ones that reduce confusion and make company strategy easier to understand while people juggle their day-to-day tasks. That builds a key foundation of trust upon which internal comms can flourish.
Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications.
