My Teaching Moment

I was fortunate to graduate from Indiana University. Or any university. I was a middling high school student who was modestly better in college. If I were a student today, I’m not sure I’d get through the front door (I did ace philosophy one semester. I learned to string together a bunch of big ideas with no firm solutions into long narratives).

Today, I was able to deliver a guest lecture at the PR Management class at the IU Media School. I was more like a guest moderator – the students were highly engaged and asked numerous important questions about issues management and corporate communications. Telling war stories is fun, but building a career requires a professional infrastructure. Here are key reminders that any early career professional should keep in mind:

• Always be a good writer. Even poorly written emails can leave a bad impression and derail you. And good writers are in short supply.

• How do you become a good writer? With practice … and by reading good writing. You can pick up great tips by reading the best (Jason Gay, a sports columnist at The Wall Street Journal, is a personal favorite).

• Early in your career, listen more than talk. If you have something to say, lean in. But too many people feel a need to speak up to get noticed. Get comfortable with silence and listen to those who’ve been around to pick up on the business.

• Show off your soft skills: hard work, diligence, and being helpful are irreplaceable early on. As you learn the business and follow the lead of your colleagues, the harder skills will follow.

I look forward to my next visit. There’s always more to talk about … and more to learn.