Most Important Skills For a Senior Director Corporate Communications at Media Company
Nikki highlights that strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, but emphasizes the importance of critical thinking as paramount for corporate communications, noting it allows one to be a "high judgment individual" who can evaluate proposals and offer dissenting opinions when necessary. Adaptability, empathy, and especially active listening are also key, as the latter enables one to discern the core concerns of stakeholders and shape effective messaging amidst diverse opinions, noting that "everyone thinks they're an expert."
Communication Skills, Critical Thinking, Adaptability, Empathy, Active Listening
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Nikki Wheeler
Senior Director Global Corporate Communications
Media Company
Metropolitian State College of Denver
Georgetown, MA
Political Science, American Studies
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, Medical & Wellness
Business Strategy
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for corporate communications roles.
2. Critical thinking and high judgment are paramount; being willing to question proposals and offer dissenting opinions is crucial.
3. Adaptability, empathy, and active listening are important for understanding different perspectives and shaping effective communication strategies.
Transcript
What skills are most important for a job like yours?
There are many skills, and it's interesting because you think about soft skills versus hard skills. The very basics are strong written and verbal communications, and critical thinking.
So when we go back to that degree in philosophy, critical thinking is paramount in a role where you're responsible for corporate communications. They need you to be a high-judgment individual.
Being a high-judgment individual comes from being a good critical thinker, not just accepting things at face value. It means asking tough questions and being willing to offer a dissenting opinion in the room.
Everyone's happy to go along with the leader. Your role is to really think about what is being said and proposed, and evaluate if it's in the best interest of the business. Then, be willing to put your hand up and say, "Hey, I think we might want to look at this in another way, and here's why."
Adaptability is key because every day is another adventure. As you're thinking about your planned tasks, like writing a press release or talking to reporters, your day can change entirely. You have to be adaptable and willing to switch to something else based on the needs of the business.
I would also say empathy and active listening. Active listening is critical because it gives you the ability to understand both sides of an issue. In communications, everyone thinks they're an expert, and everyone comes with an opinion.
Through active listening, you can begin to discern what they really care about and what they're really trying to get across, so that you can shape the final message and strategy.