Happy Birthday to Me – And Here’s My Gift to You! (48 leadership lessons for comms professionals)

Yesterday I celebrated my 48th birthday, and as always on my birthday, I’m in reflective mode. So, as I celebrate another year, I’m sharing 48 pieces of leadership wisdom that have shaped me – and that I hope will inspire you too. As a former Director of Communications, many of these lessons have come from navigating the unique challenges of leading in Communications roles, so I'd love to know if they help you!

Grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive in.

48 Leadership Lessons for Communications Leaders

1. Start and end with your values – They’re your anchor in turbulent times and the foundation of authentic communication.
2. Confidence comes from taking action – Not from waiting to feel ready. (Spoiler alert: you never will be!) Pitch the bold idea.
3. Listening is a superpower – Most problems can be solved when people feel truly heard. It’s an invaluable leadership skill.
4. Your leadership brand is your legacy – Be intentional about how you’re seen in the organisation. (I’ll be launching something new soon to help you with this!)
5. Mistakes are teachers – Don’t fear them; learn from them. Coaching can help you unlock these insights.
6. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress – The perfect comms plan is the one that’s delivered on time and supports organisatinal outcomes.
7. Curiosity builds connections – Ask the right questions, and you’ll uncover powerful narratives. It’s another leadership superpower.
8. Prioritise ruthlessly – Focus on the initiatives that align Communications with business goals. You can’t do everything, but you can do what matters most.
9. Feedback is a gift – Even when it’s hard to hear, it’s essential for growth. Another valuable lesson you’ll learn from coaching.
10. Invest in relationships – The strongest leaders don’t go it alone. Stakeholders, media, and teams all thrive on trust.
11. Clarity is kindness – Especially in communication. More on this coming soon!
12. Influence starts with trust – Build it authentically, especially with your executive team.
13. Bet on yourself – You’re more capable than you realise. You really are.
14. Celebrate small wins – Progress often hides in the details. (I recommend keeping a “sunshine folder” in your emails to capture these!)
15. Delegate to elevate – Empower others, and you’ll grow together.
16. Speak the language of your audience – Translate corporate speak into clear, compelling stories, especially at the executive level. I call this "speaking human" and it's vital.
17. Your mindset matters – How you frame challenges shapes outcomes, particularly in crisis communications.
18. Stay adaptable – The media landscape and priorities can shift in an instant. And they do! Be ready to pivot and evolve.
19. Never stop learning – Stay ahead of industry trends and best practices. Read, listen, and stay curious.
20. Be kind to yourself – Self-compassion fuels resilience. This one took me a while!
21. Set boundaries – Protect your time, energy, and focus from endless requests.
22. Silence isn’t a weakness – Thoughtful pauses create impact and are often a sign of strength.
23. Your presence matters – Show up fully in meetings, whether it’s with the board or your team.
24. Trust your instincts – They’re often wiser than you think, especially in high-pressure scenarios.
25. Know when to say no – Every yes costs something. Prioritise alignment with strategy. This is something we can struggle with in Comms - i call it the curse of "busy work" and it takes deliberate and intentional practice to overcome it.
26. Imposter syndrome is normal – Don’t let it hold you back from sharing your expertise. I specialise in this in my coaching practice, so if you’re feeling it as you head into 2025, do get in touch for a chat.
27. Celebrate others’ success – Highlighting your team’s achievements strengthens the whole department.
28. Stay curious about people – Everyone has a story worth hearing – use it to shape authentic messages.
29. Lead with empathy – Whether it’s your team, stakeholders, or the public, people remember how you made them feel.
30. Embrace marginal gains – Small improvements in processes lead to big results over time.
31. Don’t avoid hard conversations – They’re the pathway to clarity and progress.
32. Be the calm in the storm – Leadership in communications requires steadiness under pressure.
33. Surround yourself with different perspectives – Diversity improves the quality of decision-making and organisational outcomes.
34. Own your achievements – Humility is great, but don’t shrink yourself or your work. Another huge lesson I’ve learned over the years!
35. Define what success looks like for you – Not just what others expect.
36. Lead yourself first – Self-leadership is the foundation for leading others. And self-awareness is the first step on that journey.
37. Energy is contagious – Bring the energy you want to see in your team.
38. Don’t underestimate rest – Recovery is part of high performance in this fast-paced field.
39. Your reputation is your currency – Protect it fiercely, especially in public-facing roles. And start thinking about
40. Celebrate your team’s wins loudly – It fosters loyalty and pride.
41. Leadership is service – It’s about lifting others and amplifying their voices.
42. Progress over perfection – Keep moving forward, (even when the first draft isn’t perfect).
43. You can’t please everyone – Focus on what’s right, not what’s easy.
44. Take time to reflect – Learning comes from pausing to look back.
45. Stay curious about the future – Adaptability starts with curiosity.
46. Trust the process – Growth takes time.
47. Never forget your why – It’s the compass for every decision, especially when Communications gets tough.
48. Lead with your values on your sleeve – Not your emotions. A tough lesson for me to learn but invaluable!

A Reflective Prompt for You

As a communications leader, which lesson resonates most with you right now? Take a moment to reflect: how could applying that insight shift your leadership journey in the weeks ahead?

If this list inspired you, let’s continue the conversation. Coaching is where insights like these become personalised strategies for your career, so you can overcome any self-limiting beliefs that may be holding you back. (Click here to schedule a free call and let's chat)

Thank you for celebrating with me. Here’s to continued growth, learning, and leading with intention – together.