LEADERSHIP
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er should always strive to learn not just from those senior to them , but everyone around them , regardless of age , title or level of experience . If you aren ’ t learning , you aren ’ t growing .
Now that we know some of the qualities of a great leader , how does that leader help train and transition future leaders ?
“ The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership .” — Harvey Firestone
Know this : Your job as a leader is not simply to tell others what to do . Your job as a leader is to listen as much or more than you speak . It is to embrace a diverse membership who bring a variety of perspectives to any topic . It is to create an environment where all are welcome and able to lead . It is to train and embolden the next generation of leaders .
“ Leadership is unlocking people ’ s potential to become better .” — Bill Bradley
Everyone has the potential to become better , whether they are an expert in their field or brand new to an industry . Even those who may be easy to identify as future leaders can continue to improve before taking the reigns , and those who may not be easy to identify may just need a nudge to begin their leadership journey .
“ As we look ahead into the next century , leaders will be those who empower others .” — Bill Gates
Not all future leaders are the loudest or most obvious of the bunch . Sometimes a great leader can emerge through a little encouragement and a good listening ear . Take the time to get to know all of your members and ask them what they expect to learn and what their goals are for the future . Not only can this guide your programming , but it can reveal that leaders are not just those with titles at the front of the room . By getting to know everyone early , it will allow you to identify and empower a potential successor for all executive leadership while there is still plenty of time to help grow and develop their leadership skills .
So how do you know if you have successfully trained and transitioned the next leaders of your Chapter ?
“ The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men , the conviction and the will to carry on .” — Walter Lippman
From day one of accepting the challenge of leadership , you should consider that you will make an impact — for better or worse — by the end of your term . So as you prepare to take on that role , think about what kind of legacy you want to leave behind . Set your goals based on this thought process and identify passionate , driven students early on who may be next in line . The greatest legacy you could leave for any Chapter is long-term growth and success .
For more tips for a successful Chapter leadership transition and other resources , visit the PRSSA website .
FIRM OF THE ISSUE
Professional Development Empowers Students to Make a Global Impact
BY LIZ SKEELE
PRSSA VICE PRESIDENT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Located in the heart of the Mitten State , Hubbell Connections is a small Student-run Firm with a big impact . Michigan State University ( MSU ) has a thriving PRSSA Chapter and an equally successful firm that provides exceptional client opportunities to students who want to use their public relations talents to advance global causes .
The Michigan District of Kiwanis International is a leading and vibrant service organization made up of a local network of community leaders and volunteers dedicated to philanthropic projects around the world . The service-centered nonprofit has many kinds of charitable events all over Michigan to educate and improve the lives of children . For example , the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing coordinates a Dictionary and Thesaurus Distribution Project every year to foster education and help students become better writers and active readers by giving third-graders dictionaries every year . They also contribute to Kiwanis ’ global service projects through fundraising campaigns . For the last few years , Hubbell Connections has used its media relations services to attract more press for the community-oriented nonprofit , but last year saw an exciting surge .
BY ANDREW COOK
PRSSA VICE PRESIDENT OF ADVOCACY
On Thursday , Feb . 9 , The Museum of Public Relations in New York City held a special exhibit opening at the Baruch College Library to mark the first annual Black PR History Month . The new exhibit was created to display the important contributions of practitioners of color to the early development of the modern public relations industry .
The kickoff event , which was broadcasted live via the Museum ’ s Facebook page , was hosted by the museum in partnership with the National Black Public Relations Society and Shelley Spector , the museum ’ s founder and president . The event featured several speakers and a panel discussing the theme “ Celebrating the Hidden Figures of Public Relations ,” while also specifically honoring industry pioneers Ofield Dukes , APR , Fellow PRSA , and Inez Kaiser . The featured panelists included Dr . Denise Hill , assistant professor of communications at Elon University ; Dr . Rochelle Ford , chair of the public relations department for the Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University ; Judith Harrison , president of the PRSA Foundation , senior vice president of diversity and inclusion at Weber Shandwick ; and Don Singletary , adjunct professor at Baruch College and Syracuse University , and president of the Singletary Group .
Dr . Hill opened the program by leading the group in a critical
Staff members of the Michigan State University Student-run Firm , Hubbell Communications . Photo courtesy of Brittanie Chludzinski .
Brittanie Chludzinski , Hubbell Connections ’ executive director , explained that the change started when the account received a new client contact who ’ s both excellent at her job and excited about the Kiwanis ’ mission . At the start of the year , Chludzinski and the account coordinator sat down with the client and learned about the significant impact being made by the nearly 150 Kiwanis chapters throughout the state of Michigan and caught the bug . Their passion spread to the media relations team . By promoting the Kiwanis story in Michigan , associates benefit local children and contribute to the organization ’ s international mission
review of public relations history in the U . S ., highlighting how the absence of minorities among recognized pioneer figures has been inaccurate and incomplete . Citing the accomplishments of influential communicators such as Ida B . Wells , Joseph Vaudrey Baker and Henry Lee Moon , Dr . Hill underlined the clear presence and merit of minority practitioners during the early days of the public relations industry and emphasized the need to recognize their accomplishments .
Further into the program , the panel expanded this conversation by discussing ways to establish a wider , more encompassing narrative . As more minority and female practitioners are recognized and included in the industry ’ s history , the greater those groups can be empowered to succeed within the industry in the future .
Dr . Ford spoke about the important tie between historic narrative , and diversity and inclusion practices . “ It ’ s important to have a more complete history because to help people around the world .
This excitement pushed them to innovate and research new ways to reach the different media markets around Michigan . Publications have started picking up their stories and Hubbell associates began seeing their words printed in media around the state . Understanding the Kiwanis ’ mission and vision clarified the associates ’ expectations and encouraged the team to work harder to become more effective .
Energy and conscientiousness are two traits found not only in the media relations team , but could also describe Hubbell Connections ’ entire culture . The firm welcomes students
Black PR History Month Kickoff Held at Museum of Public Relations
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Public Relations Facebook page .
there ’ s a false impression that diversity and inclusion is new ; but it ’ s not ,” she said . “ There have been amazing people leading movements , leading agencies and serving as mentors that come from African descent and other lineages .”
Dr . Ford also commented on the importance of recognizing positive professional role models of diverse backgrounds .
“ If we don ’ t see those images then it becomes easy for us [ minorities ] to believe that we aren ’ t valued or important or that there is no role for us there ,” she said . “ In reality , not only are we there , but we have done remarkable things .”
Pat Ford , worldwide vice chair and chief client officer of Burson-Marsteller and board member of The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations , the LAGRANT Foundation and the Museum of Public Relations , added his voice on the importance of the event .
“ This event at the museum with several different majors and skill sets , which allows them to offer a more robust set of services to their clients . Each member is critical because the success of the whole is determined by the specializations of their associates and their quality of work . Ownership isn ’ t the only motivating factor — the firm offers several professional development sessions and , according to Chludzinski , learning from field experts has inspired associates to try new strategies and improve their quality of work .
“ We ’ re fortunate to have a number of public relations professionals in the Lansing area who support our PRSSA Chapter and Hubbell , and who play a big role in our success by sharing their knowledge and expertise with our members . Professional development sessions make us better and encourage the team to grow their skills ,” Chludzinski said .
The firm is filled with self-starters , so when field experts come to speak , both the veteran students with multiple internships and the freshmen with none are challenged and inspired to develop their skills . This passion causes students to prioritize their Hubbell assignments and propels their firm forward . Hubbell Connections is the perfect example of an excellently run firm with motivated and retentive members empowered by the professional development skills .
has done a lot to focus on our history and telling it from the full perspective ,” he said . “ When we think about great communicators throughout the years we have to remember that there were so many great communicators that came before the growth of the public relations industry and acknowledge them as well . It ’ s important that we not only correct that history but build that history and create opportunities for professionals that come from a wide range of diversity .”
PRSSA continues our commitment to expanding the historic view of the industry . This February , a special Progressions series highlighting the modern-day African-American leaders in the public relations industry was offered and it showcased Debra A . Miller , Ed . D , APR , Fellow PRSA ; Cheryl Procter-Rogers , APR , Fellow PRSA ; Terrie Williams ; and William B . Marks , APR , Fellow PRSA .
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