Lessons from the Climb ➡ : Four years ago, I had no clue I would be having a mountaintop moment today. This morning Good Morning America devoted five minutes to telling the Unclaimed Funds story at the Ohio Department of Commerce. My youngest son told me as I was watching the segment: "Mom- you're acting like a kid! You're so excited!!" Yes, Christian, I am. And this could not have happened without the team we have in place today.
The journey has been more than worth it. When you’re brought in to change a communications culture, there is a lot of hard work, crucial conversations, and nights where you wonder if it can happen. Ultimately, you have a strategy and then the good fortune of finding the right individuals who believe in your philosophy and want to work with you to realize that vision.
Here’s what I’ve learned that led us to this moment:
1) Supportive leadership is crucial to your success. We could not do this without our executive leadership team and our divisional leaders.
2) It takes a village AND time to find those who will support and understand your vision in a larger group that’s accustomed to a different way of doing things. Have patience and energy through the weeks and months required to make this happen.
3) Great relationships with members of the media are key. Sometimes we have to work on difficult stories. Sometimes they’re interesting or fun. No matter what they are- be a help to reporters, producers, assignment editors, and more- and ask the right questions. Go above and beyond for those who engage with you in a positive way.
4) Be willing to think outside of the box. In creating content in different forms, we were able to bring this piece together for GMA and they used some of the professional video, social media work, and event planning resources we developed as a team to complete- and ultimately lengthen- the piece.
I hope you can check out what Jarrod Clay and Susan Wagner were able to create with the GMA producer and Gio Benitez- along with several other members of our team and other teams in supporting roles: Jennifer Jarrell, Michael Gravely Jr., MBA, Catherine Balderson Alicia Shoults Jason White
Beyond proud. Grateful. #TeamOhio
#storytelling
#communications
You can watch the segment here ⬇
