Learn how to inspire and motivate your public relations team for enhanced employee engagement and dynamic performance.

It’s so important to maintain perspective in this profession. The hours and deadlines are demanding, the pressure is intense, and a lot of this job depends on outcomes that feel out of your control (whether breaking news will bump your story, whether a writer will bite on your pitch, etc) the work is exciting and fast-paced but it is not life-or-death. As the familiar saying goes “it’s PR, not the ER.” Remember to use your vacation days, to take breaks, to eat and sleep well, to not let a bad moment ruin your day, and to not lose your sense of humor or perspective. Keep spirits high and the panic low.

I preach the "Baseball season mindset", which emphasizing the importance of never getting too high, too low or most important "high on your own supply." There are going to be ups and down. Wins and losses, injustices, late nights, early mornings, happy clients, angry clients...events outside your control and people who mislead. It's honestly all in a day's work and the most successful people in this line of work are the ones who treat other's with respect, have fun, have a constant learning and long term mindset and mentor others. It's a fast paced and constantly changing industry, but remaining open minded, working hard, asking good questions and coming up with good answers is a formula for long term success.

Last updated on Jun 6, 2024

Here's how you can inspire and motivate your employees as a public relations leader.

As a public relations leader, your ability to inspire and motivate your team is crucial for success. Your role goes beyond managing media relations and crafting persuasive messages; it extends to being the driving force that energizes your employees to achieve their best work. To do this effectively, you must engage with your team on a deeper level, understanding their needs and aspirations, and providing the support and encouragement they need to flourish. Remember, motivated employees are not just more productive; they are also ambassadors of your brand's reputation and values.

1 Lead by Example

To inspire your team, you must first exemplify the qualities you wish to see in them. As a public relations leader, your behavior sets the tone for the entire team. Show enthusiasm for your projects, demonstrate integrity in your communication, and be proactive in addressing challenges. When your team sees you tackling issues head-on with a positive attitude, they are more likely to mirror that behavior. Your commitment to excellence will serve as a powerful motivator and establish a culture of accountability and high performance.

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Aryan Chaturvedi

LinkedIn Top Voice | Growth Strategist | PRO to Chancellor & Branding Strategist at Nims University
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Practice work-life balance and prioritize self-care to show it's truly valued. Be visible in your own professional development, motivating your team to upskill. Admit when you're wrong to build trust and encourage risk-taking. Publicly recognize your team's successes to reinforce high-performance behaviors.

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2 Open Dialogue

Maintaining an open line of communication with your team is essential. Encourage your employees to share their ideas and concerns, and listen actively to what they have to say. This not only helps to foster a sense of belonging and respect but also allows you to gain valuable insights into how to improve team dynamics and project outcomes. By valuing their input and showing that their opinions matter, you boost their confidence and willingness to contribute, which can lead to innovative solutions and a more motivated workforce.

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Eddie Tabakman 🎙️

Eddie the Media Trainer 🎙️
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One of the places where I've seen agencies fall short is not taking time to really listen to employees and hear what matters to them... It may not be what you think! And if you listen, you'll inspire, attract, retain, and develop talent.

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3 Recognize Efforts

Acknowledging the hard work and achievements of your employees is a powerful motivator. Take the time to celebrate successes, no matter how small, and provide constructive feedback that helps them grow. Public recognition can be especially impactful in a public relations context, as it not only boosts individual morale but also reinforces the team's collective success. When employees feel appreciated, their dedication to their work increases, and they are inspired to maintain or exceed their performance.

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4 Professional Growth

Invest in the professional development of your employees. Offer training sessions, workshops, or mentorship opportunities that align with their career goals and the needs of your PR campaigns. When employees see that you are committed to their growth, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. This investment not only benefits them personally but also enhances the skill set within your team, leading to better public relations outcomes and a more dynamic workplace.

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Charles Xu 徐若侃

APAC marketing and communication expert. | Top MBA. | Led IPO PR in HK | Ex-branding head in Tencent's portfolio | Fluent in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese | Lived in 4 Asian countries.
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Trainings in leadership is hugely benefit to the team members' career as either a PR professional or a future leader. One of the key elements in leadership is understandings about different types of normal people, what's more, the willingness to understand people who are in different types from oneself is extremly crucial. A workshop of DISC model could be a nice choice. Other than that, learning the typical theories about conflict treatment and do some practice in empathetic thinking are also practical ways.

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5 Empower Creatively

In public relations, creativity is a currency. Empower your employees to think outside the box and take calculated risks. When they feel trusted to experiment with new ideas, they become more invested in their work. Provide a safe space for creative thinking where all suggestions are valued, and failure is seen as a learning opportunity. This approach not only leads to more innovative PR strategies but also builds a more vibrant and motivated team.

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6 Work-Life Harmony

Lastly, recognize the importance of work-life balance for your employees. In the demanding field of public relations, burnout can be a real issue. Encourage your team to take time off when needed and support flexible working arrangements that allow them to manage personal commitments alongside professional ones. When employees feel that their well-being is a priority, they are more likely to be motivated and bring their best selves to work.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Sarah Kissko Hersh

PR Consultant, Advisor, Coach, and Trainer Ongoing or on-call PR problem-solving + counsel 19k+ followers | 10M+ content views Founder, Type A Consultancy | I help PR people become even better PR people
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It’s so important to maintain perspective in this profession. The hours and deadlines are demanding, the pressure is intense, and a lot of this job depends on outcomes that feel out of your control (whether breaking news will bump your story, whether a writer will bite on your pitch, etc) the work is exciting and fast-paced but it is not life-or-death. As the familiar saying goes “it’s PR, not the ER.” Remember to use your vacation days, to take breaks, to eat and sleep well, to not let a bad moment ruin your day, and to not lose your sense of humor or perspective. Keep spirits high and the panic low.

Like
Jeremy Tunis

"Urgent Care" for Public Affairs, PR, Media, Policy. Deep experience with BH/acute hospitals, MedTech, other scrutinized sectors. Jewish nonprofit leader. Alum: UHS, Amazon, Burson, Edelman. Former LinkedIn Top Voice.
Report contribution
I preach the "Baseball season mindset", which emphasizing the importance of never getting too high, too low or most important "high on your own supply." There are going to be ups and down. Wins and losses, injustices, late nights, early mornings, happy clients, angry clients...events outside your control and people who mislead. It's honestly all in a day's work and the most successful people in this line of work are the ones who treat other's with respect, have fun, have a constant learning and long term mindset and mentor others. It's a fast paced and constantly changing industry, but remaining open minded, working hard, asking good questions and coming up with good answers is a formula for long term success.

Like
Daniel Maximilian Da Costa

CEO en Latin American Quality Institute | Certificaciones | Responsabilidad Total
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En el dinámico mundo de las Relaciones Públicas, inspirar a tu equipo es vital. Sé la chispa que enciende su pasión mostrando autenticidad en cada acción. Escucha con atención, demostrando que cada voz importa y cada idea cuenta. Guía con el ejemplo, trabajando con integridad y compromiso. Celebra los logros, grandes y pequeños, alimentando la moral y reconociendo el esfuerzo. Proporciona desafíos que impulsen el crecimiento, convirtiendo obstáculos en oportunidades. Comunica una visión clara y contagiosa que motive y unifique. Conviértete en el faro que ilumina el camino, transformando cada día de trabajo en una aventura inspiradora.

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Here's how you can inspire and motivate your employees as a public relations leader.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Lead by Example

2 Open Dialogue

3 Recognize Efforts

4 Professional Growth

5 Empower Creatively

6 Work-Life Harmony

7 Here’s what else to consider

Public Relations

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Here's how you can inspire and motivate your employees as a public relations leader.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Lead by Example

2 Open Dialogue

3 Recognize Efforts

4 Professional Growth

5 Empower Creatively

6 Work-Life Harmony

7 Here’s what else to consider

Public Relations

Rate this article

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