One of the best pieces of mentoring advice I received early in my CommsLede journey was, “If you can financially afford it, always accept an opportunity to partner with great people doing good work.” Over the years, I’ve embraced this guidance, and the realist in me added, “… and never partner with jerks.”
While this is common sense, it’s also grounded in research. (And by now, you know how I nerd out on research and data!) In her work around incivility (which she describes as disrespect or rudeness), management professor Christine Porath found that “…when we have more civil environments, we’re more productive, creative, helpful, happy and healthy.” In today’s high-stress business climate, who doesn’t want that?
This “true north” of partnering with good, kind, talented people has guided CommsLede’s work from the start, and the model means I always show up for my clients engaged, excited, and deeply empathetic. It also means we all leave meetings feeling appreciated, valued, and energized.
The leaders I partner with today love the communications field, and they value learning, growth, connection and results as much as I do. Their teams join workshops with enthusiasm, trust and energy, and contribute to animated, refreshing, discussions that can be translated into actions. They are creative, kind, and generous souls — and even when work gets challenging, we roll up our sleeves and work together to Get. It. Done.
I also surround myself with outstanding, best-in-class business partners, designers, academics, copywriters, mentors and peers. I regularly connect with them, consult with them, volunteer, and vibe with them … because they fill my cup – not only in the business sense, but in the heart sense. Whether we’re “talking shop,” sharing best practices and book recommendations, exploring new technologies, or thinking through concepts in new and creative ways, these partners are true treasures.
CommsLede has never been just Kristi Hinck Mills. It’s the alchemy of the incredibly talented people I interact with and learn from every day.
So, find yourself some good people. Cherish them. Learn from them and generously share what you know with them. Celebrate them on every platform and in every way. Since good people = smart business.
And if any of the advice or tips I’ve shared over the last few weeks have been helpful, please drop me a line or a comment. If you need a seasoned, talented comms partner to help launch, shape, or rethink your approach to communications, build a strategic plan, or unlock insights through workshops, focus groups or surveys, please reach out. Finally, if you (or someone on your team) might benefit from coaching to get to the next level, I’m here. Because at the end of the day, the more engaged, enthusiastic communication leaders we have in our field, the richer it will be.
Thanks for the last decade of CommsLede, and for joining me on this journey. I hope to partner with you soon!
With more than two decades of communications experience spanning agencies, Fortune-100 organizations, non-profits and academia, Kristi Hinck Mills brings her passion for employee communications to CommsLede Consulting, where she delivers strategic solutions and executive coaching for her clients. Visit the CommsLede blog for more tips.
