What are the most common resilience challenges for Strategic Communications professionals?

One of the greatest lesson that i learned is that before you start any communication project make sure everyone involved knows what they're supposed to do and by when. This means clearly defining roles, writing down everyone's responsibilities, and setting deadlines for each step. For big projects, it's also a good idea to think about what potential challenges might arise and how to address them proactively. This helps everyone stay on track and overcome difficulties, even when time and resources are tight.

Accept that change is the only constant and embrace it. Be quick to adapt. Keep abreast of the latest trends and developments by reading very widely and attending leading industry conferences / courses (many excellent resources are free). Never lose your sense of curiosity. Keep learning from others - ask questions and take notes! Maintain and expand your networks - not just in your industry but in adjacent ones too, so you can cross-pollinate ideas and connect people across sectors to broaden their perspectives and scale their collective impact. Leverage the latest tech tools to be more productive and effective at what you do.

Good Lord, there's a lot of navel-gazing about strategic communications here. It's really much simpler than it's presented, and trust me, I was an early team member of the first company that had the term actually in its name (Robinson Lake Lerer Montgomery). It's about the right message to the right people in the right way to advance your actual business objectives. Quit making it more complex than it is. Get the message right and you're 90% of the way there.

Conversations with new people—in your industry and beyond—can be great creativity and confidence boosters. They compel you to step outside of your routine, stay present, think in new directions, and they can lead you to ideas you might not otherwise imagine.

For me, exercising lateral thinking has always been helpful. It’s important to consider that dedicating a day or blocking out a few hours for it is always an investment and never wasted time. There are very useful techniques that never fail, such as ‘rol reversal’ and the ‘SCAMPER’ technique.

Rest is an investment in one’s well-being, so conscientiously make time for it. Schedule periodic breaks and take them. Be disciplined about not checking your phone during certain hours, or when you’re with your loved ones. Exercise / Meditation definitely helps to keep one centred. Watch your diet - what you eat will impact how you feel, think, and sleep. Seek support from your colleagues when work gets too overwhelming - people are often willing to help when they see a genuine need. Just ask.

The ever evolving landscape, making sure you are prepared yet agile enough to adapt as required continuously without loosing focus. It’s a tiring process to stay on top of things, so to make sure you remain on track you need to maintain your key pillars at the back of your mind and foster creativity to adjust accordingly where required.

In the realm of Strategic Communications, resilience is a constant companion. Navigating the ceaseless flow of information and adapting to rapid changes demands a nimble mindset. Balancing stakeholder expectations feels like a high-stakes tightrope walk, while facing public scrutiny becomes a personal crucible. The delicate dance between transparency and confidentiality adds nuance. Continuous learning is a prerequisite, and work-life integration an ongoing art form. Setbacks and negative outcomes take a personal toll, yet within these crucibles, growth happens, lessons are etched, and professional resilience is forged.