No Egos Allowed

Earlier this week, I attended the first OkieSMart social media conference hosted by PRSA Tulsa, IABC Tulsa and the Tulsa Press Club. The keynote speaker was Peter Shankman, CEO of the Geek Factory and founder of Help a Reporter Out (HARO). I've heard Peter speak a few times now, and find him to be entertaining and educational. One thing I find interesting about him is that he is not one to tout his expertise in social media but rather allows others to do that for him. That's not the case with everyone I've run across in the world of Twitter, Facebook and other social media networks.

Several blog posts in recent weeks and months have called into question whether social media experts really exist, and if they do what is important for them to share with you. Check out a few of the ones I came across here, here, and here.

I still wonder what makes one a social media expert. Is it his participation on Twitter? Does it amount to the number of followers she has but not the quality of information she shares? To Peter Shankman, social media is about the quality not the quantity and I have to agree. My fear is that too many people take advantage of the uneducated or uninitiated people who simply hear that social media is the next "big thing" and need to jump on board.

I have run across a number of people who I find to be simply egotistical. To me, ego should not play a role in being a strategic partner for an organization. In my opinion, true counselors leave their own promotion at the door and instead focus on the needs of the organization with which he or she is working. When egos are involved, it's far too easy to overlook the true objectives of the business and think only how the "social media expert" might benefit from the relationship being developed.

I'm intrigued by a new book coming out this fall called Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Relationships and Earn Trust. Building trust is difficult and requires a lot of effort on the part of the counselor. It's baby steps that allow the understanding and shared mutual goals to strengthen a relationship enough for trust to be a part of it. It takes sacrifice on the part of the counselor to recognize when he or she needs to step back and listen versus speaking out too vocally.

What do you think? Am I on track with this thinking or am I off base?

Photo from Flickr.com: Denise Lamby

Guest blog post on Journal Record

Check out my guest blog post on the Journal Record's website. Click here to read.

Dream Big

Dreams. We all have them, right? I know I do. I can't go into all of them here ... or at least not right now ... but I've been thinking a lot lately about the importance of dreams.

How often have you felt lost and discouraged because someone shot down your ideas and dreams? I dated a guy -- we were actually engaged -- who thought it was humorous to make fun of my aspirations. I became so discouraged that I considered changing the path on which I had been traveling since I was in fourth grade. I visited a career counselor and took all sorts of tests to determine what career path I should really be on. The only outcome for me was validation that my dreams were sound and my relationship with my former fiance was dead. The engagement was soon over but my efforts to become a strong PR professional continued.

My question is "why"? Why would someone choose to put another person down for the goals and aspirations he or she has set for themselves? It's beyond my comprehension, and would love to hear your thoughts on why this occurs.

My point in writing this is to remind my friends and colleagues that we should take a moment to encourage others. Even if we can't understand the dreams another has, take time to listen to someone's plans and encourage him or her to reach for the stars.

Why is Research Important?

Research is the most overlooked, unappreciated aspect of communication. I've heard people complain about the cost or how difficult it is to gather the data and make sense of the information. All of this is flawed. I've been responsible for research on various projects for almost 20 years, and can tell you that research doesn't have to be difficult and can provide you with a plethora of details to ensure your strategies and tactics align and earn the great return on investment (ROI).

What is Research?
First, let's talk about how to define research first. According to Wikipedia, research is defined as human activity based on intellectual application in the investigation of matter. What?! Let's go a little more basic. My definition of research is asking questions of a particular audience group.This might be a bit narrow, but my frame of reference is marketing and communication. I want to know how a particular audience thinks. Research allows me to understand those thought processes so I can more effectively plan my marketing or communications program.

There are two main types of research -- formal and informal. Formal research is scientific and can be easily replicated. Informal research is everything else. The key with informal research requires thoroughness, good notes and a method for gathering the material so it is usable for later reports.

Within formal and informal, there are primary and secondary research methods. Primary methods examine evident collected firsthand, whether that is through new interviews, surveys or observations. Secondary methods are just what it says, secondhand evidence which is previously reported or published. Typically secondary research is an Internet search or something similar.

The final aspect of research is qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative is that research which attempts to gather in-depth understanding of human behavior and the reasons why and how we make decisions. Typically, you'll find much smaller, yet focused samples rather than large, random samples. On the other end of the spectrum is quantitative research, which develops and employs scientific or mathematical theories to analyze the connection between science and human relationships.

Why Conduct Research?
As I said earlier, research doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. It can be as simple as searching online articles or case studies that might help you establish a benchmark for how your organization should conduct business. Or it can be a complicated as hiring a consulting firm to develop and gather data on your behalf. Either way, many PR and marketing practitioners overlook the critical nature of research. From my experience, jumping into a project or campaign without a cursory look at the target audience and its' thought process will only lead to failure and frustration.

In today's recession environment, marketing and PR find themselves on the receiving end of budget cut after budget cut as a means to simply eliminate expenses for the business. But as we all know, this is not the time to disappear from the public's eye. Organizations that have taken the time to conduct basic research know far more about where those marketing dollars will succeed as well as where they won't and are able to build a far more effective business case for why marketing and PR should remain part of the company's overall expense landscape.

So what do you think? Are you able to justify your marketing and PR efforts effectively or are you becoming quite proficient at using the expense scissors?

Social Media Tidbits

Recently I was asked how a local PR agency should use social media, specifically Twitter, to help promote clients and their products and services. Now, I've spent a great deal of time thinking about this topic, reading other blog posts about the subject, and generally evaluating the best manner for a business to leverage social media in its' daily activities. I was a bit surprised that this agency hadn't already given it more thought. But that's beside the point. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. I would call myself a student, one who hungers to learn how to user various tools and figures out the most strategic, efficient manner in which to bring new tools into the PR fold.

In my short time learning about social media, I've made a few observations.

1) The importance of social media is the ability to create communities, listen to customer needs and build solutions to accommodate those needs. There are good and bad examples of how businesses use social media everywhere, but I've found that the best organizations choose to use these tools as a mechanism for two way communication. Sharing information is only one part of the equation. It's just as important for the business to listen to what others are saying. But if you're going to listen, you also have to be willing to act.

2) Action is an often overlooked part of the business world. We all hate to hear complaints or criticisms about our organization. But that is when we can learn the most, if you ask me. Being willing or able to make changes based on the feedback received from customers is a sign of an agile, successful business. And these are the businesses I believe will survive the recession and come out stronger and better than they were before. In today's social media environment, not listening and taking the appropriate action can and will lead to failure.

3) My final observation for this post is not to hard sell. I've been in marketing long enough to realize that selling is the lifeblood of an organization. However, if all you do is sell through the social media channels, you're only going to succeed in making people angry, which in turn will backfire. It's happened numerous times. Taking a softer approach works much better. When you have a community of people who listen and trust what you have to say, you're going to be far more likely to have people who come to you when they are ready to buy.

As a business leader, I'm forced to think in terms of return on investment (ROI) when it comes to strategic planning and tactical execution. In the social media world, the investment mainly comes in the form of time. Your time is extremely valuable, and most organizations want to know that they time you put into the social media efforts will bring immediate payback. The challenge for marketing and PR professionals is to build the business case for taking the time to build communities and listen to what customers say.

Before you jump on the social media bandwagon, think about why you're there. What is your organization trying to accomplish?

What are your thoughts? Do you agree with these observations or am I off base?

Photo by Matt Hamm (via Flickr.com)

Patience

Lessons in patience can be the biggest challenges we face. I am one of the most impatient people around. It's really easy for me to get distracted by life and expect results immediately.

I am in the midst of a lesson in patience and I have to say it's one of the most humbling experiences.

In my 35 years on earth, I've had many tests of patience but this is the biggest one. God is truly forcing me to trust in Him completely. I want what I want now, but God has different plans. It's time for me to turn my eyes away from earthly desires and focus on Him. Completely.

Galatians 5:22 - 26: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Colossians 1: 10 - 12: "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light."

The Inverted Pyramid

Journalism was my major in college. However, I knew from the beginning that I did not want to be a reporter. I can say that by choosing this as my education path, I learned a lot about writing … of all kinds ... feature, editorial, news writing. Each requires different approaches to accomplish the end result of a published article.

Writing has been a huge part of my career in public relations. I am often asked by new PR grads what the number one skill needed to be successful in our field is; my answer is an unequivocal "writing".

For those of you not familiar with writing styles, here's a quick primer. News writing focuses on the five W’s and the H … who, what, when, where, why and how. Just the facts, ma’am … nothing more. This is also known as the inverted pyramid. The most important information is found at the top and readers can leave the article at any point … yet still completely understand the message.

In contrast, feature writing is a different animal. Feature stories differ from straight news in several ways. Most importantly is the absence of a straight-news lead. Instead of offering the essence of a story up front, feature writers choose to lure readers in gradually. A feature's first paragraphs often relate an intriguing moment or event. From the particulars of a person or episode, the story’s view quickly broadens to generalities about the subject.

As I write this, I've been thinking back to my college days when I attempted (unsuccessfully for the most part) to be a full-time freelance writer. I wasn’t shooting for the Glamours and New York Times of the world. Rather, I focused on local publications such as such as the Minneapolis / St. Paul Magazine. I had been told that the key is to have a hook, and I had just the hook – A Texas native leaving the warmth and sun to move 1,000 miles away in the cold, snow-bound state of Minnesota. What could be more entertaining than to read about my exploits experiencing 80 below zero temperatures for the first time, my roommate choosing to thaw her car windows with a bucket of warm water, or the first time I saw someone plug their car into an outlet to ensure it started. My article was humorous and more than a little self-deprecating as I made complete fun of myself. Now, remember that space is a premium in most publications. While the editor liked my article … at least that’s what he told me … his critique included a bunch of red marks.

Oh how I learned to hate that red ink pen.

I got over it.

Editing is part of the writing process and critically important for any good PR professional to understand and appreciate.

I'm curious though what other people think is the most important skill for PR professionals to have in their toolkit. There are many but what is that one trait that everyone should have?


Images from Flickr.com (Dabaweyna, Esther_G)

Rain, Sleet, Snow or Ice ... Are you prepared?

Playing off my last post, Have a Plan Work the Plan, as well as the #smbiz chat held tonight on Twitter, I felt the need to share a bit on disaster planning and its importance. Throughout my career, I've seen businesses with great crisis plans in place along with those that have extremely poor plan ... or even no plan at all.

In Oklahoma -- between spring storms, tornadoes and massive ice storms -- the risks for weather-related disasters are plentiful. Also, living in an area of the country where oil and gas-related businesses can be found on every corner, the risk of man-made disasters is on my mind frequently too.

A former employer of mine happened to be focused on serving the oil & gas industry by inspecting and repairing live pipelines. The likelihood of an accident occurring on those pipelines was extremely high. On my first day of employment, I asked whether the company had a crisis plan. The answer I received was a resounding "no". Once I got over my initial shock, I sat down and started outlining possible scenarios.

Steps to Developing a Crisis Plan
1) Brainstorm scenarios -- Think about every possible crisis that could affect your business. These can be natural or man-made, physical or technological. etc. Think about the common issues that might arise but also think creatively and consider slightly off-the-wall situations that might throw you a curve ball.
2) Pull together the crisis team -- Gather your cross-functional representatives and discuss scenarios and the company's responses to each.
3) Start answering questions -- Where will your command center be located? What materials will you need for each scenario? Who is on the crisis call list? Who will be your spokesperson? Consider every scenario and prepare yourself for how the company will react. Choose the leaders in your organization who will get things done quickly and correctly.
4) Write it all down -- Create an actual written plan that outlines everything that is decided. This not only provides a playbook by which you can practice but it also gives the company a foundation for future changes, especially as employees change.
5) Practice, practice, practice -- Very important to the success of a crisis plan is the practice that your organization puts in. Take time at least once a year to run through the basics of your plan. This will prepare you for the occasion when a crisis actually hits and give your team the confidence to react calmly and professionally.

This is nothing new to you, I'm sure. But it is important. Let me know your thoughts on what I've missed.

Image: Flickr.com (Carrie Peters)

This Great Nation

Every time I fly, I look out the window of the plane and it occurs to me that there aren’t many places in the world where you can see so many different landscapes in one single nation. Whether you enjoy the warm waters of the Gulf, the beaches of California, the rugged shoreline of Oregon or the historic significance of our nation’s capital, I fall in love with this country more every day.

I’m not sure how many of you have really traveled the US, but I have been fortunate enough to do that quite a bit … mostly as a child, but also in my career. Growing up, my family took long vacations every summer. My dad is a professor of leisure studies at Oklahoma State. His job is to educate students about the value of tourism and how interpretive services around the country add value to vacationers and business people alike.

Our family vacations were often joint trips for him to visit his students interning around the country. Through these trips, I was able to see a great deal of the country – 47 of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia were hit before my freshman year of high school. The only states lacking in my tour of the US are Hawaii, Alaska and Washington. I honestly believe every child should have the opportunity to visit all the states while they are young. One thing I can tell you is that by visiting the landmarks that we studied each year in school, I was better prepared to understand the value of each to the history our country. The one thing about my childhood vacations that I should point out is that we camped our way across the nation. So not only was I learning about the country but I was also gaining a new appreciation for the comforts of home. Plus it was cheaper than staying in hotels. I have been able to revisit many of these locations as an adult, and the pleasure I experienced as a kid is still there. I want to share with you a few of my favorite locations.

First is the coast of Maine. There are a number of things I love about Maine … from the lighthouses dotting the shoreline protecting ships from the rocks below to the LL Bean outlet store where I have been known to drop a pretty penny on those preppy sweaters and rugged shoes. My first visit to Maine was during August of eighth grade. It was unusually hot … or so they told us. Very few buildings had air conditioning but that was fine with us. We found ways to cool down, and the best was to simply put your feet in the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. I fell for the lighthouses in a big way. To this day, one of my dream trips is to tour all the lighthouses of the east coast.

My second place is a little closer to home in the Ozarks. For one of our trips, we spent two weeks traveling around Arkansas and Missouri. While some would think that was not the most exciting trip on record, I must say that both states of a lot to offer. My most vivid memory of that trip is of our family friend’s oldest son leading us on a hike through Queen Wilhelmina State Park. For some reason he led us in circles for several hours, wandering around the trails with absolutely no clue where he was going. Of course, the rest of us just followed along until someone realized that we had passed the same trail marker three times. At that point, my dad took over but we still have a good laugh over David getting us lost. Of course this is the same guy who put salt in our canteens on a hike up Mt. Elbert in Colorado so we didn’t have water for the tallest peak in the state. My husband and I still vacation in Arkansas by taking long weekends to Beaver Lake near Fayetteville.

The third place on my list of amazing locations is the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. I really do have a thing for lighthouses, and in this case Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most beautiful locations I’ve visited. Just outside of Duluth, it’s probably not the ideal vacation location for everyone, but it really is a great place to visit. There is a resort located on the north shore that we visited several years when we lived in Minnesota, and then I returned right after I graduated college. Cute little log cabins where you can relax and get away from the hassles of life for a while.

These are just three of the places I’ve been in the US, but they represent so much more about this country that I don’t think most people realize. I hope you take a look at your next vacation and think about where you’ve never been but have always wanted to visit. There is so much to offer … make sure you take advantage and make your next road trip a truly memorable one.

Have a plan, Work the plan

My motto -- have a plan, work the plan. Maybe it's my anal tendencies but I find it's extremely important to plan. I know I come by this trait honestly as my dad is the same way.

Our family vacations as a child were outlined to the minute weeks before leaving. Dad would document every stop on our itinerary and we stuck to it like glue. There were a few stops along the way where he would present options -- either we can visit Museum X or hit Amusement Park Z. Those vacations provided me with adventures and opportunities I never truly appreciated until much later in life. Not only did I get the chance to travel around the United States but I also learned the value of a plan.

I chose public relations as my career because I enjoy the challenge and variety offered by different clients and business settings. Over the years, I've grown to appreciate the importance of planning in the PR industry. With a plan, the organization has a roadmap to follow, a direction in which to head. Even if adjustments have to made down the path, the plan provides a foundation.

During my career, I've watched businesses progress from two extremes -- those without a plan, floundering as they struggle to grow and success, and those with a plan who find avenues that work well but are flexible enough to accommodate changing economic landscapes. As a communication professional, it's my job to encourage the company to build that plan. If the company is unwilling or unable to do so, what should the PR professional do?

Image: Flickr.com (Ronnashore)

New member of our family

It's been several months since I posted anything here and really need to do a better job of blogging about life. I thought I might introduce you to the newest member of our family. This is Yogi Bear, a Maltese/Chihuahua mix who stole my heart a few weeks ago.Yogi joins our family after we lost our baby, Gracie (Cairn Terrier), in late February. She was the joy of our lives for a little more than eight years. It broke my heart to watch her pass but I was thankful when her pain finally ended. Yogi doesn't replace her but he certainly makes the grief easier to bear.

As someone who never had pets growing up, I've surprised myself to feel such attachment to my pets. However, they each bring such interesting perspectives to each day. When I'm stressed at work, I walk in the front door to find my three cats and pup waiting for me, tails wagging. Such simplicity. Their pleasure eases the stress away and helps make that transition from work to home. In fact, Yogi joined me in the office on Friday afternoon.

My Professional Life

Have you seen these resume clouds? Kind of cool. I created this one using Wordle.


The thing I find really cool about the resume cloud is how it highlights certain areas of my career. Obviously my two areas of heavy concentration have been marketing and communications. But the resume cloud also shows that management -- of people and working with senior executives -- has also been a vital part of my career.

The other key to my career has been participation with and leading committees. I have spent a great deal of time working with non-profits, professional groups and on project teams in my various businesses. The one thing that I have found extremely valuable about committees is the opportunity to work with various personalities and work styles. This has given me the chance to hone my communication skills tremendously.

What about you? Where have you learned the most in your career?

Impressed by New Grads

Thursday night I spent time reviewing resumes and portfolios at Oklahoma State University for the PRSSA students. I have to say I was quite impressed with their skills, ambition and willingness to take risks during tough economic times. Graduating seniors have been looking for jobs for a few months. However, they realize that they may need to take internships to tide themselves over until the economy turns around. I admire them for this, and wish them all the best of luck.

Entering the World of Social Media – Twitter 101

For those who are new to the social media revolution, Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users' updates (known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. So are you still wondering what that means?

The debate has started about social media and its’ uses in public relations. An interesting blog post from Bill Sledzik entitled Are Social Media Changing the DNA of Public Relations offers one perspective. Whether we like it or not, the evolution of public relations is moving toward using social media as a communication tool to help create an online community for gaining immediate feedback.

This does not mean the fundamentals we learned in PR 101 are gone, just that our methods for communicating need to be modified to address emerging markets and strengthening relationships. Social media, including Twitter, is a trend that allows 24/7/365 access to your community and provides immediate feedback on ideas and information presented.

To help you get started on Twitter, take a look at the sites below.
· Social Media Start Kit -- Twitter … Amber Naslund (@ambercadabra) does a great job introducing you to Twitter and terminology you’ll need to know.
· You're on Twitter -- Now What? … Valeria Maltoni (@conversationage) goes into more depth about Twitter and what it means.
· The Thoughtful User Guide -- 14 Ways to Use Twitter Politely ... Margaret Mason’s (@maggie) 14-point guide to improved tweets; there is Twitter etiquette to keep in mind.

The best way to use Twitter is to jump in and get involved in conversations. See you in the Twitterverse.

Me, the musician's wife

For those of you who know me, you are aware that I'm married to a part-time musician. It's not a life I expected to find myself in 10, 15 years ago. But it's a life I wouldn't trade for anything. As a musician's wife, I support my husband in different ways than most. I have to ask, how many women out there have a special rider on your insurance to cover guitars, amps, pedals and all the associated paraphernalia? How many wives find themselves carrying gear each weekend into bars, private homes, and other venues in support of your husband's hobby? My guess is not many.

I'm often asked what my thoughts are on Pete's hobby -- a very expensive hobby at that -- and I can only say that I love my husband. Because of my undying love, I support him fully. That's what marriage is about. In today's society, it's too easy to let the little annoyances in life become large issues that lead to the end of marriages. As a believer in Jesus Christ, divorce is not an option for me. We have our disagreements, as do all spouses, but there is no question in my mind that Pete's happiness and pleasure in playing guitar trumps everything.

I'd like to ask everyone who reads this to think about a few things. Do your actions and attitude support your spouse fully? Do you pray and seek God's guidance in how to make your marriage stronger each and every day? Do you seek to provide the calm, healthy haven in your home that your spouse deserves? I believe it's important to answer "yes" to each of those questions. If you can't, then I suggest you turn inward and look at your own intentions and expectations. Strong marriages mean putting aside your own needs for those of your spouse. That doesn't equate turning into a doormat for him or her to walk on, but it does mean giving up your selfish life. My prayer each day is to turn over myself for what God has planned for that day, and that includes putting my husband's needs before my own.

Should you or shouldn't you?

For years, decades possibly, communications professionals have debated about whether or not one should pursue his or her Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is important to growth in our chosen field. In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I am an APR so I am a bit biased about the process and whether or not it is needed. Following I initiate what I hope is an objective discussion of the certification.

Professional Impact
While the Public Relations Society of America presents arguments as to why one should say "yes" to this decision, I somewhat disagree with the organization's reasons. According to PRSA, accreditation defines the profession by:
1) Setting standards and recognizing the "science" of public relations
2) Legitimizing the profession and creating uniformity
3) Building accountability for ethical behavior and through legal knowledge

While I agree to an extent with PRSA's case for why someone should pursue an APR, I also see that the true value in an APR is more hidden. Salary increases and professional recognition may occur, but I have found that is not necessarily the case everywhere. Perhaps it is a regional advantage for some. Tulsa has a proportionately high percentage of APRs in our PRSA membership but I have not found a single person who has benefited in overt professional recognition.

Statistically speaking, I don't believe my experience is unusual in that my professional recognition or salary value has not increased due to the three letters which now appear after my name. Instead, I have found that my corporate credibility has improved. In a business setting where certifications are not usual, an APR provides the CEO and senior management with a unique look at my training.

While it does not replace the strong work ethic or exhibition of skills I must use every day, the APR certification does allow for a brief introduction of sorts with the management team. They see those letters and always ask what they mean. If nothing else, it allows me to educate and inform one of my key audiences about the communications profession and how a strategic program can help the business grow and achieve bottom line success. Ultimately, that's all that matters in the corporate world.

Personal Achievement
My main reason for pursuing my APR is personal. I have set personal and professional goals over the years and work hard to accomplish each. Earning my APR is one of those goals. Having worked with and for several APRs who provided me with strong examples of what a public relations professional should be, I initially thought that earning my APR would be one way I could show them how much I had learned under their tutelage. While that may be the case, I have evolved in my thinking and now see the APR as a personal achievement which helped me build confidence in my skills. The process one goes through to earn his or her APR is difficult, and I believe I am a more solid professional because of it. I now have the strength to sit at the proverbial table and persuade senior management toward the appropriate communication strategy. Whether or not those three letters mean anything to the others at the table, I honestly don't care. In the end, I know I worked extremely hard to earn this certification and am extremely proud of my accomplishment.

Importance of Learning

After more than a dozen years working in communications and marketing, one of the most important things I have learned is to never stop the education. During my undergrad years of college, I fought tooth and nail to finish my degree program so I could graduate and move into the "real world". Little did I know but all that information I learned would only get me so far once I started my career. Following are a few tips I'd like to share with anyone, new or seasoned:

1) Ask questions ~ Never assume that you know the answers. Making assumptions, to me, means a professional is entering a stagnant phase in his or her career. My mentors over the years have shown me that being curious and looking to expand your horizons allows one to build more trust among colleagues and leadership. Be wise in your questions though. That leads me to point #2 ...

2) Listen carefully ~ Pay attention to what is being said around you. In my experience, the communications professionals in most organizations are the people who need to know that most. While it's rude to eavesdrop, be open to listening to conversations when they occur around you to gain insight into your business, your employees and the general culture of the organization. Through the years, I have become the go-to person for leadership when they need feedback on decisions that are being made because people trust me to listen and hear what is being said. However, that brings to mind point #3 ...

3) Gain trust ~ Asking questions and listening carefully, along with being the communications representative for the company, usually means you are privy to information that may or may not be shared with others in your business or outside. Learn to discern what can be shared, what ethically must be shared and where to draw the line on remaining silent. The public relations practice is governed by a code of ethics through our national industry association, Public Relations Society of America. Each of us has internal morals and principles that guide us. Look to the code of ethics as a guideline by which to practice but also build a reputation of integrity, honesty and responsibility. Your professional and personal credibility is on the line.

4) Find a mentor ~ I have been fortunate in my career to have found amazing professionals who are my mentors to this day. These men and women have taught me a great deal about the communications profession and how I can strengthen my skill sets. I turn to each regularly for feedback and insight on my career, decisions I need to make, and more. I consider each a friend as much as mentor. A good mentoring relationship should never end. Thanks to these individuals, I have adopted an attitude that I hope will facilitate relationships with younger professionals where I act as a mentor. I believe it is my responsibility to share my knowledge, but I also learn a great deal from younger professionals too. And that takes me back to where I started ...

5) Continue your education ~ Never stop learning. Whether you decide to pursue a graduate degree, are fortunate to work for a business with an internal professional development program, or choose to pursue education options on your own, find ways to stay on top of new communication trends. Also very important is to expand your knowledge to other areas of business. Look to learn about finance, IT, operations, and other functional areas of a business in order to make yourself an invaluable employee. One of the best pieces of advice I received (from a mentor) was to temporarily find assignments in other departments in order to be a better communicator.

Ice Storm 2009 Part Two

More pics ... just to be clear, that is ice on the streets and parking lot, not snow.

Ice Storm 2009

The sound of ice on the windows brings back memories of being without power for nine days in December 2007. Not a pleasant time for us or many other Tulsans as hundred of thousands of people found new and unique ways to stay warm, dress in the dark and turn to friends and familes for support. Pete and I were fortunate to luck into a hotel room on the third night -- our haven in the storm. So far this year, we've been fortunate and haven't had too many storms. Tonight is a bitterly cold one. Hopefully the ice doesn't cause too much damage. Here are a few pics tonight. I'll post more in the daylight.

What is Leadership?

A question that I have thought a lot about over the last few years is "What is leadership?". The dictionary definition of leadership from dictionary.com is:

1. the position or function of a leader: He managed to maintain his leadership of the party despite heavy opposition. 2. ability to lead: She displayed leadership potential. 3. an act or instance of leading; guidance; direction: They prospered under his leadership. 4. the leaders of a group: The union leadership agreed to arbitrate.

Reading these definitions allows one to consider the concept of leadership on a surface level. However, I view leadership as more than simply being in a position of authority. My experiences have shown that there are a number of individuals in managerial or supervisory roles who are not leaders. Instead of leading, these people choose to use their perceived power to control their employees or followers.

My definition of leadership is a bit more complicated. Leaders in my mind are individuals who exhibit all the characteristics they want to see in their employees and more. If a person in a superior role cannot be a model and mentor for his or her employees, then I have trouble believing that individual is truly a leader.

In my career, I have been fortunate to work with and for people who have taught me a great deal about personal and professional integrity. My mentors have helped shape me into a person who values the experiences and lessons I learn from co-workers, colleagues and others in my life. I believe it's important for me to pass on the traits I have gained to future generations. I expect feedback from people around me to help improve my skills. I hunger for education -- whether formal through school or informal through human contact.

The ultimate leader in my life is Jesus Christ. Following his example is critical for me. Look at the throngs of people who followed him during Biblical times and one cannot help but be humbled by the leadership he exhibited. I desire to show that type of leadership in my own life, both personal and professional.

Inauguration Day 2009

Today is an historic day in the United States. Watching and listening to Inauguration coverage on the news and Internet, one can't help but be proud of our country. I don't think it's surprising to most people that I have conservative beliefs and political leanings. President Barack Obama was not my choice for leader of the country, but I believe wholeheartedly in supporting the office of the president whether the person in that office received my vote or not. My prayers are with President Obama and the decisions he will make over the next four years. I pray God's guidance on the president's heart and know as a faithful believer in Jesus Christ that all things occur for a purpose.

Welcome 2009

The holidays are finally over. For that, I'm thankful. I enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with family and friends but now it's time to get back to normal life and start a new year. Following are few pictures from our holidays:

I'm looking forward to what 2009 brings in our lives. I pray every day that God can show me the path He has set for my life and that I will follow it according to His wishes. I have turned my life over to God completely and thank Him for the grace and goodness He has provided. I'm ready for what He has in store.

Better Life

A friend tagged me with this so I thought it would be a fun post. Here goes:

Here are the rules:
1. Put your iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

1) IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY? Hide Your Matches -- Julianne Hough
2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY? Help is On the Way -- Michael W. Smith
3) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? Love Letters -- Miranda Lambert
4) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY? Power of Love -- Huey Lewis
5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? A Heart Like Hers -- George Strait
6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? The Way You Love Me -- Faith Hill
7) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? Mississippi Girl -- Faith Hill
8) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? Everyday America -- Sugarland
9) WHAT IS 2+2? Tied Together With A Smile -- Taylor Swift
10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND? Nobody but Me -- Blake Shelton
11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Voodoo Doll -- Fergie
12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? JailBreak -- Thin Lizzy
13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? Sunshine & Summertime -- Faith Hill
14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? Still Don't Stop Me -- Jessica Simpson
15) WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? (not planning to have another one but...) Pour Me A Vacation -- Great Divide
16) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? I Shall Return -- Billy Currington
17) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? What Breaks Your Heart -- Scott Krippayne
18) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Come On Joe -- George Strait
19) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? Mighty to Save -- Michael W. Smith
20) WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? This Used to be My Playground -- Madonna
21) HOW WILL YOU DIE? Average Joe -- Clay Walker
22) WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? Sweetest Sin -- Jessica Simpson (Is that a statement of my life or a statement on my music?)
23) WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? You'll Always Be My Baby -- Sara Evans
24) WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? You Look Good in My Shirt -- Keith Urban
25) WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? Well, yes but ... Silent Night -- Dean Martin
26) WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? Brighter Days -- Jimmy Wayne
27) DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? All I Ask For Anymore -- Trace Adkins
28) IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? Holly Jolly Christmas -- Faith Hill
29) WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? The King of Broken Hearts -- LeeAnn Womack
30) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS NOTE AS? Better Life -- Keith Urban