Communications Awards of Excellence 2024: Individual awards

Spotlight Awards (Individual Awards)

Nominations for Spotlight Awards (Individual Awards) recognize outstanding achievements from communicators working in a Government of Canada communications branch in 2023. Any employee working in a communications branch may put forward the names of nominees for these awards, but all nominations must be endorsed by Heads of communications.

Awards categories

The three (3) Spotlight Awards (Individual Awards) categories are:

• Master Storyteller of the Year Award
• Exceptional Leader Award
• Rising Star Award

Master Storyteller of the Year Award

Recognizes an individual who embodies the principles of the Government of Canada’s Policy on Communications and Federal Identity through their day-to-day work, and who are adept at plain language content creation and storytelling that has made an impact on their audience (in any format).

Evaluation criteria

• Plain language content creation
  • Demonstration of the ability to create content that is clear, compelling, and concise for traditional or new media (any format or platform).
  • Demonstration of the ability to synthetize complex topics and present information to make it relatable to Canadians.
• Storytelling and creativity
  • Evidence of using an original and imaginative approach to digital, visual or traditional storytelling to inspire readers.
  • Evidence that content is engaging and created with audience in mind.
  • Demonstration of leadership and initiative in promoting and using storytelling.
• Results and evaluation
  • Demonstration of the achievement of results beyond expectations which support the priorities of the department/agency.
  • Evidence that goals/objectives were measured and reached or surpassed.
  • Metrics that demonstrate engagement with audience(s).

Exceptional Leader Award

Recognizes an individual who has shown leadership and vision as a communicator and a leader in their department, branch and field, and who has actively demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and strong ethics in their day-to-day work. Their extensive experience and passion for their work has created a high performing team and respect from staff, colleagues, senior management and the broader communications community. This individual is dedicated to excellence in all they do, fostering harmonious working relationships and acting as a role model to motivate colleagues to excel.

Evaluation criteria

• Positive leadership and vision
  • Evidence of creating or supporting a workplace that is rewarding and motivating for all employees.
  • Evidence of leading a high-performance team or project with exceptional outcomes
  • Evidence of the ability to communicate a clear vision and direction, foster openness and inclusivity, and maintain a positive work environment.
  • Evidence of actions guided by integrity, courage and humility.
  • Evidence of maximizing the efforts of others towards the achievement of a common goal.
  • Evidence of promoting workplace wellness, of encouraging diversity and of fostering an inclusive work environment.
• Collaboration/team player
  • Evidence of promoting productive exchanges, sharing knowledge and valuing the input and insight of team members and colleagues.
  • Demonstration of being an excellent communicator who is engaged and passionate about their work and who fosters collaborative solutions.
  • Evidence of formally or informally mentoring, empowering, motivating, coaching and supporting colleagues of different levels in all phases of their professional lives.
• Impact
  • Evidence of making a positive and lasting impact on their work, work environment and colleagues.
  • Evidence of a track record of exceptional results in alignment with the priorities of the department/agency.

Rising Star Award

Recognizes an individual with less than five (5) years of cumulative experience in the public service who demonstrates collaboration, innovation and who has exceeded expectations in the delivery of services to partners and/or public.

Evaluation criteria

• Collaboration/team player
  • Evidence of promoting productive exchanges and of connecting people with new ideas and technology.
  • Demonstration of being a team player who values and supports the input and insight of colleagues.
  • Demonstration of bringing value to the workplace and of building professional relationships with colleagues and clients.
• Making a difference/innovation
  • Evidence of making a positive impact on the work processes, work environment and results.
  • Evidence of proposing and using innovative/creative solutions and tools.
  • Evidence of being committed to continuous learning and sharing ideas with others.
• Excellence in communications
  • Demonstration of going above and beyond in the delivery of communications advice to clients and management.
  • Demonstration of the production of high quality communications products for clients, partners or the public.