Ricky Gervais may not be the first person you'd think of to glean valuable advice about how to communicate authentically. But a recent video interview with the comedian courtesy of Fast Company highlights some valuable lessons on how to write and communicate in meaningful ways. Ricky describes how at age 13, after failing to get decent marks on any of the short stories he turned in for English class, his teacher told him that he'd likely get a better result if he were to "write about what you know." Ricky decided to be a smart-arse, he wrote about what he thought was the most mundane thing imaginable - a day visiting an elderly lady with his mother. However, his story impressed the teacher and he learned that "making the ordinary extraordinary is so much better than starting with the extraordinary." 

Our Employee Experience Survey shows that employee engagement is much higher when internal communication is believable, relevant, simple and inspirational. A real story or a personal anecdote can have far more impact when it comes to employee communications. By bringing into focus the little details that reveal what makes a company tick in interesting and authentic ways, leaders will better connect with teams. But how? What about demonstrating a company’s mission and values in action, rather than just saying it? Leaders who talk about the ways they connect what the company believes in to the work they do will bring more meaning to their teams.

Ricky also points out that creators and directors have a duty to "make the audience as excited and fascinated about a subject as you are." If leaders can't genuinely demonstrate what gets them excited to come to work every day, it’s going to be hard for employees to find ways to feel inspired. Sharing day-to-day happenings in interesting and relevant ways can make people feel more connected to and involved with what’s going on around them. Whether it’s getting the inside scoop on how and why decisions get made – being in the know about big and little events create an internal culture that everyone feels a part of. As Ricky found, “making the ordinary extraordinary” can go a long way in inspiring those around you in unexpected ways.