PR Lessons from the mountains
I am a mountain girl. While I’ve embraced city living for the past almost ten years, the mountains still have a strong pull for me. Whenever I need an escape or a moment to breathe, I head west to ski, hike, kayak or sometimes just sit surrounded by the powerful peaks that are the Rocky Mountains.
The mountains have also played a significant role in my professional life. My very first communications job was at Sun Peaks Resort, a four-season destination in British Columbia. And since then, I’ve always felt a connection between public relations and the natural beauty we live in.
Anyone who follows @mlcsocial on Instagram knows we often use mountain vistas and outdoor scenery to help illustrate communications and public relations advice. Not only is it a way to inject our personality into social posts, but it also reminds us that standing strong and true like the mountains can help guide a company through a challenging communications issue.
Advice from the mountains
Be prepared for weather changes. The wind will shift and communications tactics that worked in some situations, may not be effective under different conditions. Forward planning and a keen understanding of your audience and their needs will help you develop strategies and approaches to help you weather a storm. Being prepared and adaptable will also help you earn respect — both internally and externally.
Be transparent and authentic. How you handle a crisis or answer tough questions — with honesty and compassion — will speak volumes about your company. Even on a cloudy day, your true colours and class can shine through. If you’ve ever been to Moraine Lake during the larch season (September), you’ll know what we are talking about. On a dreary rainy day, the vibrant blue lake and colourful trees still pop.
Stay true to your core. With a strong base, a solid communications philosophy sets the stage for both employees and clients to climb to new heights. It may be tempting to be on every social platform, and try all of the latest and greatest technologies, but it still has to fit with your primary objective. Remember the mountains have a strong, solid base and a clear peak. Don’t be an ivy plant crawling every which way up your fence with no focused goal.
The next time you head to the hills, take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds you and the communications advice you can learn from the mountains.