Unlocking the Communications Career Cage - with Emily York

How many times have you heard that career paths in PR and Communications are full of options and opportunities? Maybe that's true when you're just getting started, but for many of us, as we progress in our careers, we start to notice fences and guardrails rising ever higher as the path itself becomes narrow and steep. What does it take to jump the fence or take it down? Or are we in a communications cage? In this episode of The Trending Communicator, host Dan Nestle connects with corporate communications executive Emily York, a communications veteran whose journey spans journalism, agency work, consulting, and senior leadership roles at global companies. Emily shares her experiences transitioning from a corporate role at Beam Suntory (now Suntory Global Spirits) to starting her own consultancy and ultimately leading global communications at executive search powerhouse Russell Reynolds Associates. Together, they discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with career transitions, the evolving nature of the communications profession, and the critical role of soft skills and strategic thinking in an AI-driven future. Emily and Dan discuss approaches and attitudes toward navigating career changes, the importance of staying curious and adaptable, and how to leverage relationships and trust to thrive in ambiguous environments. They also explore the impact of technology on the communications landscape and the need for communicators to stay ahead of trends, from AI to media consumption habits. Whether you're contemplating a career shift or seeking to enhance your strategic communication skills, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice from two industry experts. Tune in to discover how to embrace change, build meaningful connections, and position yourself for success in the ever-evolving world of communications.   Listen in and hear about... The evolving role of communications professionals in a dynamic and uncertain marketplace. Insights into the importance of soft skills and relationship-building in the age of AI and technology. Strategies for staying engaged and inspired in a communications role, even when facing routine or challenges. The significance of understanding media consumption trends and adapting communication strategies accordingly. Navigating career transitions and the value of networking and continuous learning in professional growth.   Notable Quotes On the Role of Communications: "Comms and marketing have always been two facets of the same diamond. So when I think about the comms profession and my career within it, I think that's been a differentiator." — Dan Nestle [00:00 - 00:30] On the Nature of Corporate Jobs: "Corporate job seems like a corporate job. And aren't they all the same? And you're asked to do similar things, but they're really different." — Emily York [08:01 - 09:56] On Career Growth: "You have to figure out how to right size, either the load or the directions your brain are going in and how deep you can go when you're spreading out." — Emily York [11:27 - 13:17] On Career Development: "People who have so excelled in their career across all the areas of comms and developed really deep relationships with partners, whether that is your vendors or your executives. And you develop this really strategic thought partnership type relationships where those people can then see the value of you in other areas of the business." — Emily York [19:21 - 20:29] On Embracing Change: "Sometimes you can have loved a job and a place so much that you can be aware of both things and still not be fully committed to leaving." — Emily York [25:44 - 27:01] On the Importance of Soft Skills: "The contributions that we humans are going to be able to make are really in the soft skills and how we make people feel and how we sell those ideas and how we think strategically and pull things together and bring groups of people together and solve problems." — Emily York [46:26 - 47:38] On the Future of Work: "The future is ambiguous and it's going to be an increasingly important skill and agility. So adapting in those situations and trying to thrive in those situations." — Emily York [1:05:59 - 1:06:44]   Resources and Links Dan Nestle Inquisitive Communications | Website The Trending Communicator | Website Communications Trends from Trending Communicators | Dan Nestle's Substack Dan Nestle | LinkedIn Dan Nestle | Twitter Emily York Emily York | LinkedIn   Timestamped key moments from this episode (as generated by Fireflies.ai) 🎙️ Daniel's Transition to Consultancy (00:00 - 02:10) Daniel Nestle reflects on his career transition from corporate communications to running his own consultancy. He emphasizes the need for curiosity and exploration in this new role. 🤝 Emily York's Career Journey (02:10 - 10:14) Emily York shares her background in journalism and her transition to corporate communications and consulting. She discusses her current role as the global head of communications at Russell Reynolds Associates and the challenges of leading communications in a service-oriented industry. 🔄 Challenges in Corporate Communications (10:14 - 18:00) Both Daniel and Emily discuss the narrow focus of corporate communications roles and the temptation to seek breadth over depth. They highlight the importance of staying engaged and inspired in one's role to avoid complacency. 📊 Navigating Career Changes (18:00 - 27:00) Emily discusses the importance of networking and relationship-building during career transitions. She emphasizes the significance of understanding the evolving nature of work and the necessity of adaptability. 🌐 Future of Communications (27:00 - 37:00) Daniel and Emily explore the impact of technology, particularly AI, on the communications profession. They stress the need for communicators to stay updated on media consumption trends and the responsible use of technology. 🔍 Skills for Future Communicators (37:00 - 49:00) Emily identifies essential skills for future communicators, including strong writing abilities, technological proficiency, and analytical skills. She emphasizes the importance of soft skills and relationship-building in a technology-driven landscape. 💡 Comfort with Ambiguity (49:00 - 55:00) Emily highlights the necessity for communicators to be comfortable with ambiguity and to adapt to changing circumstances. She reinforces the importance of trust and collaboration in professional relationships. 🌱 Final Thoughts on Career Development (55:00 - 1:07:00) Daniel and Emily conclude by discussing the importance of continuous learning and personal growth in navigating career paths. They agree on the value of human connections and the need for communicators to maintain their unique perspectives amidst technological advancements. 📅 Wrap-Up and Future Outlook (1:07:00 - 1:12:18) Daniel expresses excitement about the future for both himself and Emily, encouraging listeners to stay engaged and proactive in their careers. Emily shares her positive experiences in consulting and the importance of collaboration in her work.   Timestamps for your convenience (as generated by Flowsend.ai) 0:00 Intro 5:42 Emily York's Role at Russell Reynolds 11:04 Challenges in Corporate Communications 17:54 Career Transitions and Opportunities 24:31 Recognizing Career Change Signs 31:13 Consulting and Career Decisions 38:04 Balancing Work and Keeping Up with Trends 45:29 Future of Communications Roles 51:49 Importance of Human Skills in AI Era 57:55 Soft Skills and Relationship Building 1:05:59 Comfort with Ambiguity and Agility   (Notes co-created by Human Dan and a variety of AI helpers, including Fireflies.ai and Flowsend.ai)