Set yourself apart

In this cut throat world of competition and job crisis, if there is one way to hold on to your job, it is by creating your unique proposition.

What is it that sets you apart?

As a communicator, you are generally seen as the company’s ‘messenger’. One who conveys the vision, mission, and values. Someone to go to for crisis management, for setting the narrative, and for overall brand reputation.

But then, isn’t this what almost all communicators do? What are you doing different and how are differently are you doing what the others also do?

What is the mindset that you bring to the table? What are your own assumptions, your judgements, and your own rationale to a particular situation? How deeply rooted are your beliefs that govern your decision making process? What new skills set you apart?

The beauty of human beings is that we all evolve and have the ability to adapt and change. This includes cultivating a mindset that can be your unique proposition.

Communicators as visionaries

Research and surveys show that most leaders are admired because they are visionaries and their ability to connect the dots.

The visionary mindset is a culmination of the beliefs one holds about self, the environment, and the situation. It is also about how we create new identities for ourselves because of our out-of-box thinking and a different approach to look at problems.

The job of a communicator is to set strategy and design a well crafted and effective communications strategy that positions the company positively. Most of the work that communicators do is already aligned with that of a visionary leader.

Let us look at some of those traits:

Purpose focussed

All the messaging and narrative is built around the company’s purpose

Curiosity

Asking questions, seeking clarifications – this is ingrained in communicators

Ability to say No

Not so easily done and not yet fully there, but many are on their way to being courageous and prioritising their work.

Think out of box

Communicators are known for looking at new ways to tell a story. Their exploratory mindset gives them the ability to charter new pathways for setting the context and positioning their company.

Agility and adaptability

Change management during mergers and acquisitions is often driven by communications department. The team is at the forefront of leading change and adapts its narrative according to the situational context.

Change makers

How the company is positioned can make or break the company. Communicators ensure the reputation of the company is intact and secure during crisis. They are the change makers and their ability to work with multiple stakeholders can create success stories at every level.

Obstacles

For communicators to be visionary leaders, they need to ensure their team is aligned and equally inspired to be change agents. Teams that are not aligned can create chaos and disruption, leading to poor execution and lessened commitment towards change. Just as communicators communicate the value of their company to their stakeholders, they should pay equal attention to their team so that everyone is aligned.

Conclusion

A visionary communicator is one who imagines the future and uses the power of words to bring that vision to life. By cultivating traits such as imagination, empathy, and resilience, communicators can transcend their traditional roles and become catalysts for change. Though the path to becoming a visionary is fraught with challenges, the reward is a legacy of innovation and inspiration that can set you apart and shape the world for generations to come.

The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.

Sarita Bahl

Sarita Bahl is an alumnus of Tata Institute of Social Sciences and the Swedish Institute of Management Program. An experienced and versatile leader, she comes with nearly four decades of professional experience. She has over the years successfully overseen the communications and public affairs function and led the corporate social responsibility strategy for Bayer South Asia, Pfizer, and Monsanto, among others. Sarita has held multiple roles across diverse industries, the public sector, trade associations, MNCs, and the not-for-profit sector. Her areas of interest include advocacy, stakeholder engagement, sustainability, and communications.

As an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Senior Practitioner (Mentoring) from the European Council of Mentoring and Coaching (EMCC), Sarita specializes in career transition, inner engineering and life issues. Sarita enjoys writing and is passionate about animals, books, and movies.