Email, an active Twitter account, a smartphone and a laptop are just a few of the items you would expect that PR pros can’t function without these days, as they navigate their way around an increasingly social terrain.
However, to get beyond the assumptions and the obvious, we posted the following question on our Facebook page: “What’s one thing PR pros can’t live without?”
We got a boatload of responses (nearly 100 replies on Facebook and Twitter in less than seven hours) and some really illuminating perspectives. The responses got to the heart of what makes a good PR executive and how, collectively, PR execs can elevate their profession and enhance its value to the eyes of the world.
For example, Therese McDevitt said “integrity” is the one thing PR pros can’t live without. And TMNcorp mentioned an “open mind.” Christine Payton said “listening skills!” We’re not big fans of exclamation points but, in this case, the point is well taken.
More important, perhaps, as PR pros serve a growing number of stakeholders, effective listening may turn out to be the coin of the realm for PR who are eager to succeed.
Not all answers were serious—a few were tongue-in-cheek. Respondent Laura Carson said that for her, “Xanax,” is the one thing PR pros can’t live without. And Whitney Woznick mentioned “Wine.”
Below is the full list of the Facebook responses. Care to chime in? Please visit our Facebook page.
What's one thing a PR pro can't live without?
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Elyse Petroni, Vincent Thompson, Jay Willis and 12 others like this.
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Cision North America Great question with honest - and hilarious - answers! We would add: relationships. They can drive the amplification & longevity of news. We completely agree with coffee, too! Thanks to Yadhira for the mention, as well! -
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Vincent Thompson zen... he/she must be calm in pressure situations... Also I need to have the AP stylebook. -
Ann Johnson-Stromberg Honestly? Two things: Past experience as a reporter and editor to inform their news judgement, and good clients that allow you to change their mind when a request would require you to set your news judgement aside. -
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Judgement