State of the Sector
In this special bonus episode, Scott McInnes and his colleague Sadhbh O’Flaherty are joined by Communications Consultant at Gallagher, Maddison Grigsby, to explore the latest insights from the 'State of the Sector' report on internal communications, focusing on the readiness gap, strategic alignment, and human-centric communication.
Maddison shares expert advice on improving manager effectiveness, change management, and leveraging AI for better engagement.
"Eighteen years on, State of the Sector remains the industry’s most trusted benchmark for internal communications and employee experience."
- State of The Sector, Employee Communications report (2026)
Core Topics Discussed
This podcast episode focuses on the findings in the report, specifically talking about the Readiness Gap.
Scott, Sadhbh and Maddison talk about the different ways organisations are feeling this gap, what it looks like across different aspects of the organisation, and the actions that can be taken to close it. Here are some core findings discussed in the podcast:
1. The Connection Gap
A growing disconnect between people, strategy, and clarity
2. Strategy That Is Not Shared
Strategy exists, but is not understood or applied
3. From Noise to Signal
Too much communication is driving confusion and burnout
4. The Manager Reality
Critical communicators who are under-supported
5. Change as the Environment
A shift from managing change to building capability
6. Human-Centred by Design
Communication built around real human needs
7. AI and the Maturity Gap
AI is exposing and amplifying capability gaps
About Maddison Grigsby
US Sales Leader, Communications, Gallagher
Maddison leads and oversees the sales efforts for the U.S. Communication Consulting Practice. This includes go-to-market strategy and ensuring the value proposition and capabilities are both meeting the needs of the current market and anticipating future trends. She acts as a trusted advisor to clients, helping develop creative solutions based on their unique workforce, objectives, and challenges. She is passionate about Gallagher’s internal employee experience as well. She was one of the first employees in the practice stateside, which has now grown to 130+ team members.
Experience
With 13 years of experience in the communications space, and over eight years with Gallagher, Maddison has learned what resonates with people, and how to use empathy, clarity, and honesty to connect and communicate with people – even when the message is difficult. Maddison is passionate about helping organizations discover how the human experience doesn’t “turn off” between 9-5, but if anything, it is magnified at work. Maddison’s background includes media and marketing in both the entertainment and HR industries. She is driven by a desire to help organizations grow, develop, and make an impact on their people’s lives, which makes a proven impact on business performance.
Maddison began her career in the insurance industry as a member of Gallagher’s Summer Internship Program in 2008. She became a full-time employee in 2016. She spent a year at a change agency in 2024, leading the go-to-market strategy, and returned to Gallagher summer 2025 as the US Communications Practice Sales Leader.
Education
Lipscomb University, Master of Education
Texas Christian University, B.B.A., International Finance
About Scott McInnes
Founder & Director, Inspiring Change
Having worked in the communications arena for 25 years, Scott fundamentally believes that a business's success is driven by its people. He has experience in organisations big and small, both consulting and client-side and founded Inspiring Change in 2017.
He is a pragmatic and creative thinker and someone who is comfortable respectfully challenging senior leaders to change their perspective and move organisations forward. A lover of words, he is on a mission to stamp out corporate language and help those clients be more human in how they communicate with their people.
About Sadhbh O'Flaherty
Organisational Culture Consultant, Inspiring Change
Sadhbh, is an accomplished change and engagement professional. She is passionate about all things People and Change, recently completing her master’s in organisational behaviour, where she focused her research on workplace disrespect.
A natural leader and engaging communicator, Sadhbh builds strong, trusting connections with clients and colleagues alike. She brings to Inspiring Change extensive experience of mentoring leaders, leading change, and embedding positive cultures through empathy and compassion.
