The Firm Voice
by Becky Powell-Schwartz
Powerful Women in PR — 12 Role Models Share 36 Secrets of Success
President and CEO Becky Powell-Schwartz was recently singled out as one of 12 powerful women role models in PR by the Council of Public Relations Firms. She shares her advice to up-and-coming women in the field in a recent issue of the Council's Newsletter, The Firm Voice.
"Support Networks Make a Difference"
—Becky Powell-Schwartz, President and CEO, The Powell Group
In terms of account directors and people coming up on the agency side, I see a lot of women. These are the neatest women in their late 30s and early 40s who are leaders in their firms. They are going to be our next leaders. My advice to them and to those coming up behind them is this:
- Build a support network. I have a great support system. I have five "sisters" (close friends) that I call the "Hi-Fivers." Some of us are in the business, and some are not. We create a positive, objective support system for each other.
- Find firms that offer balance. What I want to do in a business that is very manic and deadline oriented is to provide my staff with opportunities to help them balance their lives. I did this before there was flexibility in our work environment. So my approach is that we're a team. When you're in a team, you help each other out.
- Set personal priorities. Are you leading work—or are you letting work lead you? Ask yourself that, and know when you are out of synch. For me, I work out every morning before I come to work. Sometimes, I'm there at 5:30 a.m. and sometimes 6 a.m.. The days get longer, but I still produce. At the end of the day, personal relationships still matter. I heard the CEO of GameStop say recently that he stops every day at 6 p.m. and talks to each one of his kids. If family is a priority to you or the people you work with, honor that and work around it. Today's work culture gives us options and technologies that can help us achieve that sort of balance.
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