Valuable traits of a communicator

Which trait, according to you, is the most valuable trait of a communicator?

Is it a deep understanding of the market? Or strategic acumen? Or is it adaptability to changing situations? Or is it persuasive communication?
As a contemporary public relations professionals, on which competency would you put your bet on?
Strategic Acumen and Persuasion

Strategic acumen and persuasion may need one to be both, innovative and unorthodox. As a communicator you may need to adopt different personas to connect with diverse audiences and achieve objectives. This chameleon-like adaptability underscores your deep understanding of audience segmentation and targeted messaging, essential components in effective communication strategies.

Your willingness to collaborate with other business leaders showcases your ability to navigate complex organisational dynamics. Despite initial resistance, if you are persistent and creative with problem-solving it will enable you to integrate business/marketing initiatives into the realm of corporate communication, demonstrating the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in achieving organisational goals.
Adaptability and Ethical Considerations

Set against the backdrop of 1969, Kelly operates in a male-dominated industry, yet she leverages her skills to assert her influence effectively. Her character challenges traditional gender roles, showcasing the impact of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

However, her pragmatic approach raises ethical questions, particularly when she is tasked with creating a contingency plan involving a staged moon landing. This scenario, while fictional, prompts reflection on the ethical boundaries of persuasive communication and the responsibility communicators bear in maintaining public trust.

Lessons for Modern Communicators

Kelly Jones’s character offers several lessons for today’s communicators:
1. Audience-Centric Messaging: Understanding and segmenting audiences to tailor messages that resonate on a personal level is crucial.
2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working across departments enhances the effectiveness of communication strategies, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
3. Ethical Integrity: Maintaining honesty and transparency is vital to uphold public trust and credibility.
4. Adaptability: Being flexible and responsive to changing circumstances allows communicators to navigate challenges and seize opportunities effectively.
Kelly Jones’s portrayal in Fly Me to the Moon serves as a compelling study of a communicator who seamlessly blends strategic insight, adaptability, and ethical considerations to achieve her objectives. Her character embodies the quintessential traits of a modern public relations professional—resourceful, persuasive, and deeply attuned to both the needs of her stakeholders and the larger mission at hand.

At the heart of Kelly’s approach is her ability to craft narratives that resonate with her audience while navigating the complexities of organisational dynamics. She demonstrates a keen understanding of timing, messaging, and influence, positioning herself not just as a facilitator but as a strategic driver of outcomes. Her work underscores the importance of aligning communication strategies with broader organisational goals, ensuring that messaging not only informs but inspires action.

One of the defining aspects of Kelly’s character is her adaptability. Faced with ever-changing scenarios and mounting pressures, she pivots seamlessly—whether by changing her tone, leveraging emotional appeal, or negotiating alliances. This ability to think on her feet highlights the value of agility in public relations, especially in today’s fast-paced, digital-first world where communicators must constantly adapt to shifting narratives, emerging technologies, and evolving audience expectations.

Kelly’s portrayal also brings to light the ethical dilemmas that communicators often face. Her willingness to explore unconventional means to secure results raises questions about the fine line between persuasion and manipulation. By confronting these challenges head-on, the film encourages modern communicators to critically examine their practices and uphold integrity, transparency, and trustworthiness in their roles. It serves as a reminder that the most impactful communication strategies are those that not only captivate but also honor the values of honesty and accountability.

Furthermore, Kelly’s role underscores the multifaceted nature of public relations as a discipline. She operates as a bridge between technical experts and the public, translating complex information into relatable narratives without losing sight of the facts. Her character demonstrates how communicators must wear multiple hats—storyteller, strategist, negotiator, and crisis manager—all while balancing organisational objectives with public perception.

For today’s professionals, Kelly’s approach provides timeless lessons. It reinforces the importance of strategic thinking, empathy, and resilience in the face of uncertainty. Her story is a call to action for communicators to embrace versatility, lead with authenticity, and champion ethical practices, proving that effective communication is not just about delivering messages but about shaping mindsets and driving meaningful change.

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.