Mt. Cuba Center’s Post

Xiaowei Liu’s “The Art of Influence: Stories and Lessons from a life in PR and Communications” is a memoir of her days as a Shell executive wrapped around a refreshingly grounded textbook on communications best practices. These days there are far too many books on marketing and communications written in heady and breathless tones while they romance over trendy ideas like AI, data, impact metrics and deepfakes. Not this one. Xiaowei reminds us that ultimately the brilliant basics still count to build trust in our profession: media relations, employee communications and engagement, crisis and issues management, stakeholder management, brand campaigns, social investments and events. Critics will call this book “old fashioned”, while old-fashioned practitioners like me call this one a return to fundamentals and required reading for all junior comms executives. Her book has sparked some serious questions that I intend to ask when my team and I at Edelman Smithfield host her on September 3 on the topic of “Why Invest in Building #Trust”. For instance, while I fully embrace the need for brilliant basics, I have often wondered if in-house comms and PR teams are equipped with enough budgets and human resource to execute properly. As an advisor, I’ve been told one too many times that my team and I are an extension of our in-house clients, who are often teams of one or two. Brilliant for us, of course, but it still begs the question of how much investment companies are putting into PR and comms these days. This is especially surprising given that our clients are in the financial services sector, where people assume there is always money to spend. In her book, Xiaowei also points out that PR professionals now need to go beyond technical mastery and take on more advisory and advocacy roles: as strategic advisors think like CEOs and anticipate needs; as employee advocates surface employee concerns and lobby for transparent communication internally; as partnership builders hunt for robust collaborations with partners, including doing so on behalf of business leaders. While again I embrace all these roles, and believe they become more critical as we become more senior, I wonder how much time senior PR professionals actually have to play them. Instead, I have seen more instances of peers spending time managing perceptions, justifying the value of comms and PR with extensive metrics and impact reporting, quibbling and compromising with HR on employee communications, and defaulting to earned PR as the quickest and cheapest win to justify the department’s worth. In short, how real is the theory in practice? Are we, as PR professionals, mired in too much internal politics to be doing our work effectively? (Hint: external advisors like us can help) I promise you an engaging and provocative session with Xiaowei. Register your interest now. We are busting capacity soon. #financialcommunications #Singapore #APAC #Asia #advisors #finance

I always get inspired listening to Gareth Southgate's pre-match interviews, even if the game is less than inspiring. "You have to keep watering the garden." Gareth Southgate exemplifies leadership that goes beyond superficial strategy & snappy win themes; he understands that a team's culture is a dynamic, living entity. It's not enough to outline values in a presentation and consider the job done—you must continuously feed and nurture this culture. Despite this, culture isn't a lever we focus on enough when searching for the silver bullet of growth. Neglect it, and you'll swiftly notice a decline in performance and a drop in standards. So, what can we all remind ourselves and learn from Gareth this summer that we might not get from shows of leadership in Westminster? 👀It's the importance of cultivating and maintaining a thriving team culture, an often-overlooked key to sustainable success. I want a team with the best culture in an industry that can sometimes be devoid of it, built on foundations more substantial than an occasional card behind the bar (that helps too 😉)So, if you want a role in a team where we learn together and win together, check out our roles below!👇 👇 https://lnkd.in/e3fq9eFx https://lnkd.in/e5akSTPd

Consider a workplace where everyone is aligned, feels appreciated, and knows their contribution to the overall mission. Such teamwork doesn't occur by chance. It begins with leaders who prioritize communication, setting clear objectives and paying attention to their teams' needs. When communication falters, "85% of employees disengage," leading to losses in time, money, and talent for companies. However, with transparent and sincere communication, teams remain united, motivated, and prepared to achieve success together. Begin fostering stronger connections in your workplace today. Discover how: https://gag.gl/Llkc7x

My first client trip to D.C. is in the books! 🥹💼 Traveling for work has always been a personal goal of mine. Not only is it liberating to explore but also stepping into the client’s environment is typically how I find inspiration. In-person collaboration is something I've always enjoyed as well. This allows me to ask questions in the spur, better understand communication that may go unnoticed in a call, and most importantly, foster deeper relationships with clients. From executive committee meetings to media tours, I gained invaluable insights that virtual meetings, strategizing, and research could only do so much of. Happy to be a part of an amazing team Culloton + Bauer Luce that allows me to harness my skills and continues to nurture my development as I grow in crisis communication and reputation management. — Key reminders for emerging (PR) professionals🙌🏾 - Trust your gifts and capabilities. You’re equipped now and you will only continue to learn as you go. - Ask questions to learn. Listen to understand. - Organization is key. - Always be prepared for the unexpected. #crisiscommunications #pr #strategiccommunications #reputationmanagement #brandreputation

I became a CEO just over 10 years ago. I took the job to redefine what it means to be an airport, at an airport that had been losing for years. I had never been a CEO. I don’t: - want to use only my ideas - want to be a CEO just to be 𝘪𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘨𝘦 - want anyone to feel their role is less than another's - want to be the smartest/funniest person in the room Instead: - I want great ideas coming from all through the org - I want to prove that airports are critical - and cool - I want 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 we do as 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 as 𝘩𝘰𝘸 we do it - I want to work with an 𝘐-𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵-𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸-𝘪𝘵-𝘢𝘭𝘭 team When you have a big vision/responsibility, you go for it right away. I hit the ground running the way I intended to go forward. I didn't ease onto the path of change. If you want change to happen and to last, you have to walk (run) a path with transparent, 2-way, honest communications. Your actions amplify or negate your words so paying attention to both matters more than anything. Do you believe communications is every leader's job to get right? Or do you think it's only up to the Comms team?

Strong teams aren't naturally formed—they're developed through effective communication. Consider the most engaged and efficient team you've encountered. Likely, they were not only aligned on objectives but also felt heard, appreciated, and connected to a common vision. This level of engagement is fostered by leaders who emphasize clear, strategic communication at every stage. However, 91% of leaders lack strong communication skills, which is evident. Disengaged employees result in companies losing billions due to decreased productivity and high turnover rates. The positive news? With the right strategy, you can turn communication gaps into opportunities for growth and connection. Discover how to make communication your organization's greatest asset: https://gag.gl/z9gjZp

Your personal profile is a critical asset—it’s the first impression that positions you as a trusted partner. Leveraging public relations effectively can help you stand out and attract high-value clients. Here are three strategies to elevate your profile: https://lnkd.in/gmF9cfra

We spend a significant portion of our lives at work. Yet, for many, a job is just a job—a means to an end. However, what if I told you there's more to it? That joining Arkansas Children's can transform not only your career but your entire outlook on work and life? Joining the Arkansas Children's team can transform your career! Here's why: 💙 Meaningful Impact: Your work contributes to positive change. 💡 Inspiring Company Culture: Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. 🧡 Personal Fulfillment: Feel satisfied knowing your work has a purpose. 🧠 Continuous Growth: Learn and evolve in an innovative environment. Ready for more than just a paycheck? Join us and start making a difference today! #MissionDriven #CareerTransformation #JobOpportunity #Job #Career #NewOpportunities #Healthcare #ARChildrens #Pediatrics 🌟

If you’re a leader, small business owner or entrepreneur with a team, communication must be a key priority if you want your people to be engaged, productive and aligned to your values, vision and business goals. Communication is the foundation of every relationship and it’s the foundation of great leadership and a successful business. If your team isn’t engaged or you are looking at how you can elevate engagement within your business, conducting an internal Communications Audit is an essential first step. Learn more👇🏻

Success in the world of executive leadership has always been a complex equation. Financial proficiency, strategic vision, and decisive leadership remain undeniably crucial. Yet in today's hyper-connected economy, reputation has also become a powerful asset. Read our latest article on building a strong executive reputation.