Most Important Skills For A Managing Director At SHIFT Communications
Alan, a Managing Director at SHIFT Communications, highlights strong communication skills ("written and verbal skills have to be really strong") and personal accountability as crucial for success in public relations. Further, Alan emphasizes the importance of curiosity about current events to effectively counsel clients and adapt to the evolving media landscape, stating that "if you're not curious about what's going on...you're not gonna be able to counsel your clients correctly."
Communication, Accountability, Curiosity, Leadership, Responsibility
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Alan Dunton
Managing Director
SHIFT Communications
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
NA
Creative Writing, Journalism
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Business Strategy
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Strong communication skills (written and verbal): The ability to communicate clearly and succinctly is crucial for success in PR.
2. Accountability and responsibility: PR professionals must be able to manage multiple responsibilities and projects independently.
3. Curiosity: Staying informed about current events and trends is essential for effective client counseling and media relations.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
To get to this point, there are a few skills that are really innate with all the really good PR people that I know. Number one, you have to be a great communicator. Your written and verbal skills need to be really strong.
You don't have to be a perfect orator or deliver passionate speeches, but you need to communicate clearly and succinctly. This clarity must also show up in your writing.
You also have to be accountable and responsible. Many people within the agency and client sides are entrusted with significant responsibilities, action items, and projects. Not everyone will have someone watching over their shoulder to ensure they're doing what they agreed to do. Therefore, you must be personally accountable for your work.
Finally, generally speaking, you have to be curious within the PR space. Be curious about what's going on around you. If you aren't curious, you won't know what might impact your client, organization, or the team you're supporting.
Journalism has changed a lot, and earned media is still a primary focus for many PR programs. If you're not paying attention to the world and aren't curious about why things are happening, you won't be able to counsel your clients correctly, regardless of the type of PR you're doing. So, you've got to be curious.