PR Insights Blog

How does one achieve leadership success? In my previous related posts, we explored some of the differences between managing and leading, as well as the initial leadership success actions needed to be a truly effective leader.

Thanks for your interest in The Match a monthly summary of communications-related best practices and insights from across the industry, CommunicationsMatch and our contributors. We expect to start publication in March 2017. We will be sharing an update on progress in our Insights Blog in the coming weeks. Watch this space.

Whether you are a startup ready to announce your grand opening  or a fast-growing organization unveiling a new product, one thing is for sure: You have to get the word out as soon as possible and let the world know about your endeavors. Let me assure you that it takes so much more to a successful PR launch than firing off a news release and posting it on your website. Effective PR campaigns require work — lots of it! If you need to spread the word, increase awareness of your service or product and attract more business, there are a few crucial steps you need to take to ensure success.

Managers manage things, execute processes, supervise teams, achieve goals, bring the leader’s vision to life, guide projects, get the right people for the job, manage tactics and plans, and make things happen. Leaders, on the other hand, lead people, create processes, supervise teams of leaders, articulate the goals, create the vision, inspire followers, motivate the team, create strategies, and make the really important things happen. Leadership is a two-part choice-Your conscious decision to lead. And your followers’ conscious decision to follow you. Or not!

In my previous post, I shared the first of nine critical actions effective leaders take to achieve leadership success: articulate the organization’s values. That’s because your followers are more likely to follow the leader, if their values align with the values of the leader and the organization. The next action driving leadership success is to create a vision. Think of it as where the group is going, what it can be, and how it will get there.

Recent headlines have ignited a fight that has pitted those who support working with the media against those who see an advantage to working against the press. Mark Twain, said, “Never pick a fight with people who buy ink by the barrel.” As someone who has long established and maintained press relationships, I say, beware who you take a swing at, because reporters like nothing more than a good battle.

Public Relations is a dynamic field. To gain the recognition you deserve, you need to stay current on all the latest developments in PR and regularly adjust your course of action. Here are a few changes your organization should embrace now to accelerate success.

I asked, and they answered. My unscientific poll included senior writers and editors at well-known news organizations including newswires, top financial magazines and national newspapers. These are the very people that most PR professionals want and need to know and they are increasingly frustrated by the same familiar tactics. But one in particular stood above the rest: Sending story pitches that have absolutely nothing to do with what the journalist, or even the publication, would ever consider covering as a news story. In fact, some ideas don’t even meet the definition of news or the easier standard of being even remotely interesting.

With the upcoming holidays, take some time to read. The ten books I chose provide in-depth insights about business, psychology, marketing, risk-taking, understanding our strengths and weaknesses and being authentic. If you want to expand your skills, find a new job or career path, learn from people ahead of you. From books to mentoring and building on your experience, is crucial to success.

Imagine the following scenario: You nailed the account. You closed the deal. Your client is utterly excited about bringing you on board and putting your ideas to use. Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. So what could possibly go wrong?