Expert Interview: Richard Etienne on How ERGs Can Tell Stories That Drive Real Change
As ERGs across the UK prepare for the ERG Blueprint Conference 2026, we sat down with communication consultant Richard Etienne, founder of The Introvert Space™ and ERG Blueprint contributor, whose behind-the-scenes experience in central government and corporate environments has given him unique insights into what separates influential employee networks from those that struggle to gain traction.
In this candid conversation, Richard explores why storytelling is the secret weapon ERGs need to transform from well-meaning groups into genuine partners in organisational change.
Richard Etienne will be presenting at the ERG Blueprint Conference 2026 on April 28th in London, where he'll dive deeper into practical strategies for transforming ERG narratives from activity reports into compelling cases for change.
Richard, when you hear ERGs describe themselves, what do you most often notice is missing from their story?
Meaning, not activity. Or put simply: what world they're trying to create, and why it matters.
Most ERGs can rattle off what they've done: events held, speakers hosted, awareness days marked. However, they stumble when it comes to why any of it mattered. The story stops right before the punch line: what actually changed, and what that change is building toward.
Here's the thing. Behind closed doors, senior leaders aren't asking "Were they busy?" They're asking, "Did this shift behaviour, understanding, retention, or decisions?" When ERGs can't connect their work to those outcomes, their impact gets overlooked, no matter how valuable it really is.
There's something else missing too: a vision beyond survival. The strongest ERGs I work with don't just explain why they exist today. They can paint a picture of what the world looks like when their work is done. Their Thanos-click moment, if you will (IYKYK).
When ERGs can name both the immediate change they're driving and the future they're moving toward, everything shifts. Their story stops being a to-do list and becomes a declaration of intent.
From your experience behind the scenes, how does storytelling shape who gets heard and who gets backed?
It's been said many times that storytelling is as old as time. And for good reason as it's such visual adaptation of one's journey that decides credibility long before funding or sponsorship is discussed.
During my time working within central government as an ERG co-chair, for example, the ERGs that received backing were the ones whose story senior leaders can retell when they're not in the room. If your work can't be summarised clearly in a leadership meeting, it's unlikely to influence what happens next.
ERG leaders that grasp this mindset stop being perceived as extracurricular and start being viewed as partners in shaping culture. That shift is subtle; however, it's where real influence begins.
Many ERGs struggle to articulate what makes their network distinct. What questions should ERG leaders be asking themselves to uncover a genuine and credible USP?
I'd encourage ERG leaders to start with questions that feel slightly uncomfortable.
For example: If our ERG disappeared tomorrow, what would genuinely be lost? Or what do we see, hear, or experience in this organisation that others don't? Those answers usually point to your real distinctiveness.
Another useful question is: what decisions have been better informed because we exist? That moves the conversation away from sole visibility and towards value.
A credible USP removes that 'better than them' approach and shifts the focus on being precise about the lens you bring and the problems you help the organisation see more clearly. Name that, and your story naturally sharpens.
Introverted leaders often have powerful insights but may not naturally 'perform' their story. How can ERGs communicate impact confidently without defaulting to louder or more performative styles?
I find it baffling that confidence is so often mistaken for volume. They're not the same thing.
Some of the most influential ERG leaders I work(ed) with are calm, measured and deliberate. Their authority comes from clarity, not charisma. They know the point they want to land and they design their communication around that, rather than trying to compete for airtime.
In the many sessions I'm invited to deliver (including the upcoming ERG Blueprint) I share insights that prove preparation is at the core of strength. A clear starting point, a grounded example and a well-timed pause often carry more weight than enthusiasm alone.
The overall goal is to demonstrate intention. This helps ERGs and introverted leaders communicate impact in ways that feel authentic, sustainable and credible - all without asking people to be someone they're not.
Your session is about how people see your network. What role does inclusive communication play in ensuring ERG stories resonate with both members and senior leaders?
How your network is seen often determines how seriously it's taken.
Members and senior leaders listen for very different things. Members are often looking for belonging and validation. Leaders are listening for risk, alignment, opportunity and outcomes. Inclusive communication recognises that one story rarely lands equally with both.
Remember that image of the two individuals looking at the same number on the floor from different perspectives? Was it a 6 or a 9?
The mistake ERGs make is telling the same story, in the same way, to everyone. Instead see translation as a form of strategic respect for the audience in front of you.
When ERGs talk about impact, they often default to activities rather than outcomes. What storytelling shifts can help translate lived experience into messages leaders act on?
I touched on this at the start, however as this shift is simple to explain but not easy to implement, I can expand.
So here we need to move from what happened to what changed.
Yes, lived experience is powerful, however on its own it can leave leaders unsure how to respond. Storytelling bridges that gap by connecting experience to insight, and insight to implication.
Instead of saying "we heard difficult stories," the question becomes: what do those stories reveal about how this organisation operates, and (importantly) what needs to change as a result?
This is one of the areas I'll explore further in the ERG Blueprint session: how ERGs can make that shift without losing emotional truth or feeling they need to over-justify their existence. Because when done well, stories go beyond moving people into guiding decisions. And that's what leaders want. What they really, really want.
About Richard Etienne
Richard Etienne is the founder of The Introvert Space™, redefining leadership by championing introverted strengths and inclusive communication in modern workplaces. Drawing on nearly 20 years' experience across government, corporate and media, including serving as the UK Prime Minister's videographer during the height of the Brexit negotiations. Richard brings a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on power, influence and culture. Through keynotes, workshops and advisory work, he helps organisations unlock the full spectrum of talent, build psychologically safe cultures, enabling quieter leaders to thrive without pretending to be louder versions of themselves.
Richard Etienne will be presenting at the ERG Blueprint Conference 2026 on April 28th in London, where he'll dive deeper into practical strategies for transforming ERG narratives from activity reports into compelling cases for change.
Why This Is a Day Worth Investing In
ERG leaders are already giving their time, energy and expertise, often on top of demanding day jobs. What many organisations don’t provide is the structure, capability and strategic clarity that allows that effort to translate into real, sustainable impact.
The ERG Blueprint Conference is a rare opportunity to step out of day-to-day delivery and spend one focused day strengthening the foundations that make ERGs successful long term.
This isn’t a motivational event. It’s a working day.
Attendees leave with:
- Clear, practical frameworks for running ERGs with structure and purpose
- A stronger understanding of how to align ERG activity to business priorities
- Tools to measure impact, build credibility and secure senior buy-in
- A trusted peer network of ERG leaders, executive sponsors and practitioners they can continue to learn from long after the event
Sending your ERG leads, committee members or executive sponsors isn’t a cost - it’s an investment in:
- Stronger leadership capability
- Reduced burnout and increased sustainability
- ERGs that deliver outcomes, not just activity
- A more engaged, resilient and inclusive workforce
One day spent building the strategy, success and network behind your ERGs can save months of inefficiency, frustration and rework.
If you want your ERG to evolve from passion to power…
Join us at the ERG Blueprint Conference.
Learn the systems, strategies, governance models, and leadership tools that turn ERGs into engines of long-term, measurable cultural change.
Buy your ticket today and take the next step toward building an ERG that changes culture for good.