OK, Coach Bob Huggins of WVU's Final Four team has proven himself one of college's best coaches. We can also learn something from Huggs about communicating. You know the third main step in any good public relations plan, where you take your messages and apply them, usually by communicating in some manner.
When Connecticut humbled the Mountaineers in late February, the basketball team could have folded after their latest stumble. But after the game, Huggs huddled with his team and in a low voice, and with some passion, the coach refocused his team on a goal of winning for themselves and this small, rural state we all love so much.
Without Powerpoint slides, video or raising his voice, Huggins did what all good leaders can do. Get others to follow them and become part of something bigger. We do not need formal measurement to see the results of a good speech. The whole nation sees it with us-- the first Final Four appearance since 1959, and a team that to a man tells the media that they are playing for us. For all of us.
Contrast his style to other leaders, such as pols who shout, wave their hands and raise their voices. Sometimes, however, a whisper will do wonders.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
I'm Back!
Thanks to Helen Matheny and Jennifer Goddard for becoming the new co-chairs of the APR committee. I'm now "APR chair emeritus", and will continue to help guide our accreditation process.
My older posts on starting the process to get your APR are still valid. But I would add that the hardest thing to do is to take the first steps ... and keep going. All of us have full time jobs, if not full time families. Adding one more thing to the pile is never easy. But like exercise, once you get past the first few workouts, find ways to schedule and exercise, it becomes a good habit. Preparing for the APR is like that, and better.
First, you are in complete charge of the outcome and the process. There is no testing period. No three month study course followed by a written test. No set period you need to study for that matter.
Today, PRSA members decide when they are ready to test. The chapter helps you prepare, and provides through a review panel its opinion of whether you are ready to test or not. The rest is up to you.
Some like deadlines. Then set one. I would study and prepare for at least three months.
Some like to go slow and steady, until they feel ready. That's fine. But stay commited once you start. If you can afford two hours a week for study, then do it two hours a week.
Whatever you do, just do it. It is entirely possible a member could prepare for accreditation on their own, and the chapter would not be involved until the review. But I would encourage preparing for your APR test with others. Grab a mentor. Form a study group. Attend the chapter study sessions. It's more fun that way, particularly if you and your study mates make sessions regular and fun with food or drink.
If not now, when? If not you, who will get you started on the path to professional accreditation?
My older posts on starting the process to get your APR are still valid. But I would add that the hardest thing to do is to take the first steps ... and keep going. All of us have full time jobs, if not full time families. Adding one more thing to the pile is never easy. But like exercise, once you get past the first few workouts, find ways to schedule and exercise, it becomes a good habit. Preparing for the APR is like that, and better.
First, you are in complete charge of the outcome and the process. There is no testing period. No three month study course followed by a written test. No set period you need to study for that matter.
Today, PRSA members decide when they are ready to test. The chapter helps you prepare, and provides through a review panel its opinion of whether you are ready to test or not. The rest is up to you.
Some like deadlines. Then set one. I would study and prepare for at least three months.
Some like to go slow and steady, until they feel ready. That's fine. But stay commited once you start. If you can afford two hours a week for study, then do it two hours a week.
Whatever you do, just do it. It is entirely possible a member could prepare for accreditation on their own, and the chapter would not be involved until the review. But I would encourage preparing for your APR test with others. Grab a mentor. Form a study group. Attend the chapter study sessions. It's more fun that way, particularly if you and your study mates make sessions regular and fun with food or drink.
If not now, when? If not you, who will get you started on the path to professional accreditation?
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