According to Gallup, only one in four employees feel their opinions are heard at work – an issue that often arises from communication barriers, perceived hierarchies, or a disconnect between different teams and departments. When employees feel their voices aren’t being considered, it can lead to disengagement, lower morale, and missed opportunities for innovation. Fortunately, an effective way to break down these barriers is through corporate events, which provide a unique space for fostering open communication between employees in all departments and at all levels of the organization.
By encouraging cross-departmental interaction, these events help flatten traditional hierarchies, allowing employees at every level to share ideas, feedback, and concerns in a more relaxed environment. This approach helps bridge communication gaps and promotes a sense of inclusion and shared purpose across the organization.
Moreover, when leadership takes an active role in these events, it signals to employees that their input is genuinely valued. When attendees see executives and managers engaging directly with employees in these settings, it promotes trust and transparency. As a result, employees are more likely to feel heard, respected, and invested in the company's goals.
When planning corporate events, we focus on attendees. We want to create personalized and memorable experiences, so attendees leave feeling like a valuable part of a team. But events are intended to benefit everyone throughout the chain of command, including those at the top.
In order for corporate events to be successful, participation is essential. When employees see leadership teams actively participating, it can help set the tone of the event and the culture of an organization. This one simple act – participation – sends a powerful message to employees that the company values and prioritizes collective goals and team cohesion. By engaging, leaders position themselves as part of the team rather than above it. In turn, this encourages a more inclusive atmosphere where employees feel valued and motivated to contribute.
When hosting a corporate event, leaders should avoid being passive observers. Instead, they should take an active role in engaging with employees in order to strengthen interpersonal relationships across all levels of the organization. By connecting with employees outside of the usual work environment, leaders create opportunities for genuine interactions and open communication. This informal setting helps break down barriers, allowing team members to feel more comfortable openly sharing their ideas and opinions.
Plus, leaders can use these events to gather insights and perspectives from diverse teams, offering a unique chance to understand challenges and identify areas for growth that may, otherwise, go unnoticed. It’s a win-win for both employees and leadership teams.
From planning to post-event analysis, leadership teams play a vital role in ensuring the success of corporate events. While active participation is important, leadership is also useful for ensuring the event itself runs smoothly.
Early in the planning process, leadership should set the tone for the event by providing input on objectives and goals, which establishes a foundation for the entire event strategy. Whether the aim is to improve workplace relationships, celebrate milestones, or foster innovation, leadership can help set these intentions and ensure all event features work toward these goals.
For example, involvement from leadership can help identify issues that should be addressed during the event, such as the need to improve communication across departments. This would then inform planners to include networking activities that help bridge the gap between various departments.
Effective communication from leadership helps streamline planning and execution by minimizing misunderstandings and reinforcing the event’s priorities. Leaders act as the voice of the organization, ensuring every partner and team member knows the event’s core message.
When team members understand the "why" behind the event, they’re more engaged and motivated to contribute their best work. Leadership can strengthen this alignment by consistently reinforcing the event’s objectives. For example, in the lead-up to the event, executive teams can use their voice to encourage participation and to explain the goals of the event.
Introducing the goals and event theme can help set employee expectations about both the program and leadership’s expected level of participation. Executive teams can also reiterate the event’s goal, keeping everyone focused on the larger picture and providing a sense of shared purpose and excitement.
Ideally, event planners would have every detail perfectly mapped out before diving into the execution of a corporate event. However, in reality, unexpected challenges are bound to arise, and planners will inevitably need a reliable point of contact for additional guidance or information. This is where strong leadership becomes crucial; they can help event management run smoothly and make sure any issues are swiftly addressed, contributing to the overall success of the event.
When unexpected issues arise (such as last-minute changes in venue availability or speaker cancellations), leadership's ability to make swift, strategic decisions ensures the event remains on track and can quickly adapt to evolving circumstances. Plus, during corporate events, members of leadership can also address urgent issues in real-time, making important judgment calls on the spot.
Moreover, leadership involvement in decision-making reinforces a collaborative, agile approach among the entire event team. When leaders take an active role, they model a solution-oriented mindset that encourages everyone to think creatively and take ownership of their roles. Their guidance throughout the planning and execution phases empowers teams to approach challenges with confidence, knowing they have the support and expertise needed to adapt.
One of the most powerful aspects of a corporate event is witnessing executives engage with employees at all levels and across all departments. When leaders actively participate, it sends a clear message of commitment to building meaningful relationships and demonstrates that the company truly values each attendee's contribution and experience. This visible involvement reinforces the company's dedication to its people.
Beyond this, active participation by leadership helps amplify the brand's credibility and authority. Their engagement signals to attendees that the company is deeply invested in the outcomes of the event, which can positively impact the organization’s image and reinforce its industry presence. When leaders take time to connect, listen, and respond to attendees’ questions or concerns, they create memorable interactions that can lead to stronger brand loyalty and advocacy.
Ultimately, by connecting with attendees and stakeholders on a personal level, leadership teams contribute significantly to a successful event experience, leaving attendees with a lasting, positive impression that aligns with the company's long-term goals.
The importance of feedback from event attendees cannot be overstated, and leaders can help facilitate gathering and understanding attendee feedback. Leadership can encourage attendees and stakeholders to provide both quantitative and qualitative feedback, helping promote a culture of continuous improvement. By reviewing this feedback, leaders can offer valuable insights that may not have been apparent to the event planning team alone.
Further, during the debriefing process, leaders can play a key role in translating feedback into actionable insights. Their strategic perspective allows them to identify the most critical lessons and patterns, whether related to event logistics, engagement tactics, or content. For instance, if attendees express interest in more interactive sessions, leadership can advocate for implementing that change in future events. Leaders can also compare the event outcomes against the initial objectives, allowing them to assess overall success and pinpoint areas where adjustments may further align future events with business goals.
The beauty of corporate events is that they bring teams together who might not normally interact when at work. This is also true for leaders. Executive members may find themselves siloed or disconnected from other employees within the organization. However, when they engage directly with attendees at corporate events, these barriers are overcome, creating stronger relationships and impacts that extend well beyond the event itself.
When leaders are visibly engaged in corporate events, they create a positive experience that leaves a lasting impression on attendees. Employees who feel recognized and valued are more likely to remain with the organization, as they see that the company prioritizes opportunities for growth and connection. This, in turn, supports retention by promoting loyalty and reducing turnover, creating a more stable and cohesive workforce.
Another key impact is the strengthened credibility of the leadership team. When executives actively participate in events, engage in discussions, and listen to employees' perspectives, they build trust and show that they are committed to transparency and inclusivity.
Leaders who connect with employees in informal environments become more relatable and approachable, reinforcing their authenticity and dedication. In fact, a recent study on engaging leadership found that leaders who establish connections with others can greatly influence those around them, leading to “more optimistic, resilient, self-efficacious, and flexible” teams. This helps strengthen their credibility, as employees see them as people who understand the organization’s dynamics, share in its challenges, and are dedicated to working toward its success alongside the rest of the team. In other words, leadership involvement can help improve employees’ trust in management.
Leadership engagement at corporate events also supports and enriches workplace culture. When leaders participate in these events, they help establish the tone and model the values the organization promotes, such as collaboration, innovation, and mutual respect. This involvement reinforces a shared vision and contributes to a culture that values both individual contributions and teamwork. Employees who see leaders embodying the organization’s values are more likely to feel a sense of belonging and purpose, which in turn nurtures a positive, cohesive workplace.
While we still focus on finding ways to promote engagement among all attendees during corporate events, leadership teams play an important role in event success. From planning to participation, these individuals should be included in all stages of corporate event execution.
At Bishop-McCann, our team of event planners works side by side with leadership to curate memorable events that cater to the preferences of those in attendance. To begin planning your next corporate event, reach out to one of our professional planners today!