Change Makers Are Changing the Conversation

The Young Change Makers is an impressive PRovoke Media program recognizing diverse, emerging leaders and next-generation voices in public relations and communications. I had the pleasure of meeting them and hearing them speak at the PRovoke Global Summit in Chicago.

Their session stood out because it brought the experiences of young talent into sharper focus. Not as a single story, but as a range of perspectives shaped by different backgrounds, identities and paths into the industry. What they shared points to practical questions for all of us: Who feels comfortable contributing? Are we making space for people to be seen and heard? Do our teams reflect the world in which we work?

Make space for people to contribute

One Change Maker shared that she does not always feel comfortable speaking up in meetings. Rooms, whether virtual or physical, are often filled with people who are more senior and have more experience. It can be hard to find a way in, especially for introverts who may not fit the stereotype of someone drawn to communications.

As senior leaders, it’s actually OUR job, not theirs, to make young talent feel comfortable contributing equally in teams and meetings. We need to give them the space and permission to participate and be seen. That is how people become part of the conversation, not just present in the room.

Keep people at the center

With volatility in the marketplace and constant demands on teams, it is easy to let deadlines, deliverables and day-to-day operations take over. But results depend on whether teams feel cared for, supported and safe enough to do their best. That deserves a daily reset.

Embrace diverse perspectives

The Change Makers program is founded on diversity, and I was enthralled by their perspectives. Their experiences are shaped by forces that may differ from those that shaped earlier generations. They aren’t always linear, and they don’t fit one template. That is not a complication to work around. It is a perspective the industry needs.

As the Change Makers made clear, we have to reflect those diverse experiences in how we build our teams. Otherwise, we can’t create client initiatives that reflect the world in which we operate or programs that will be successful. Well said.

I walked away from the Change Makers session a changed leader. Even after all these years, it feels so darn good to be the beneficiary of reverse mentorship. Thank you, Change Makers. I really learned something that day.

Jim Joseph is FleishmanHillard’s global head of brand impact, responsible for leading global brand business across B2B, B2C and B2G audiences, leveraging communications to enable commerce and business outcomes for the agency’s clients. He is a member of FleishmanHIllard’s Global Executive Advisory.