I once knew a music business publicist who would shake her head about negative headlines or gossip items and say, “When you’re chasing the story, you’re losing.”
You don’t have to be a professional publicist to need elite communication skills. Everyone, at every level, needs to know how to manage the message.
The interesting part is comms aren’t a stand-alone skill. Mistakes happen because people forget to add people competencies.
For instance, we’ve all witnessed the person who wants to have The Big Talk at a social celebration. Even worse, have you seen someone corner their Lead at a restaurant or sporting event?
However, there’s no need to chase the story when you keep tactics like self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and social skills front and center.
So, in the October series, Sidestep Communication Unforced Errors, we’ll talk about ways you can avoid everyday communication mistakes. By the end of the month, you’ll deliver information with confidence, style, and soul.
First, let’s talk about the viral TikTok, where a recruiter suggested that candidates shouldn’t bring iced coffee to an interview. You wouldn’t think that statement would be controversial, but it set off a firestorm.
Millennials said there was no there there. Managers hit back, claiming candidates who bring an iced coffee signal they’re unserious.
The debate reminded me of a high-powered, no-nonsense woman who once led our Legal team. People who made her “In” list all had the same qualities: Competent, collaborative, and able to get to the heart of the matter. Her “Out” list was equally straightforward: Distracted, long-winded, and siloed.
One day, a summer intern waltzed into an All Hands Meeting late, carrying an iced coffee. The social error of being late was strike one, but the iced coffee wasn’t her undoing.
Everything unraveled a week later when the person turned in a lackluster contract draft and couldn’t explain their thought process. The Lead’s reply was short and sweet. She told the person’s manager, “Keep that intern away from me for the rest of the summer.”
As the intern learned the hard way, iced coffee will be a footnote if you don’t have anything substantive to say. And that rule of thumb applies at every career stage.
Looking for a new job is an obvious time to put your best foot forward. However, it’s equally important when you’re trying to switch positions in the same company. Or when you run into someone and try to persuade them to add you to a marquee cross-group project. As Mom said, these are ideal times to use your company manners.
So, use this short checklist to get ready for your next pursuit. You’ll swap chasing the story with feeling organized and confident.
Ask yourself:
And your customizable AI prompt is: Here’s a brainstorm of my elevator pitch <insert>. Organize these ideas, with the most persuasive points first.
The moral of the story is that it’s not about iced coffee. So, combine your most polished social skills with authentic, credible communication. That’s how you’ll land that big break.
