Introduction
The global public relations specialist career is a demanding one and requires dedication. The career, however, has numerous employers waiting for professional public relations specialists with experience and passion for the career. Every organization, including a state government, relates to the public. Organizations need a public relations department that relays information to the public professionally. With the diverse growth of digital media, slight misinformation by public relations officers may be the downfall of an organization. As a global public relations specialist, one is expected to have a broad knowledge of events across the world and be able to communicate to the public in the right way (REDDI, 2019). A global public relations officer is responsible for creating relationships with journalists, leaders, and bloggers. The global public relations specialist undertakes any inquiries about an organization (REDDI, 2019). After undertaking a degree in communications, I believe I have the correct education requirements of being a global public relations specialist. In this academic portfolio, I will explore the listening and non-listening models and skills I have learned and the global public research project I have undertaken through the course.
Section 1
Effective listening is crucial for communication as a Global Public Relations Specialist. Listening involves much more than just hearing what is being said; it also involves understanding, interpreting, analyzing, and remembering the message. I talked about the HURIER model, Wolvin and Coakley’s approach, and the value of listening skills for a global public relations specialist in my Week 2 project in the communication course. Listening remains an essential part of communication.
The Dr. Judi Brownell-developed HURIER model of listening processes is a popular one. HURIER is an acronym for hearing, understanding, remembering, interpreting, assessing, and responding (LibreTexts, 2022). The model offers a thorough foundation for comprehending the listening process for a global public relations specialist. People can learn to listen more effectively using this model, which is particularly helpful for effective communication. As a global Public relation specialist, I expect all kinds of words to be said to me. However, better understanding where the individual is coming from and assessing the situation will help me respond properly. Some comments may be provoking to a global public relations specialist, but the response they provide will always be the topic of discussion. This is a listening model global public relations specialists need to adopt for ease in their careers.
The HURIER model’s ability to consider the various factors affecting hearing is one advantage (LibreTexts, 2022). Since it employs many strategies, this model is extremely flexible and enables more process coverage. The model is appropriate for a global public relations specialist because of this aspect. This model’s limitation is that it just assumes attention to the delivered message and does not consider visual cues (LibreTexts, 2022). Listening is never limited to words but also the visual messages in non-verbal communication (Yang & Saffer, 2019). However, non-verbal messages could also be processed with this model.
On the other hand, Wolvin and Coakley’s model is a sequential process model of listening. The model comprises five elements – stimuli, receiving, attending, assigning meaning, and responding overtly (Wolvin & Coakley, 1989). The model suggests that the listening process occurs sequentially, with each stage leading to the next. This model highlights the importance of stimuli as a trigger to initiate the listening process. It also emphasizes the importance of assigning meaning to the message, which is particularly important for a Global Public Relations Specialist who has to communicate with a diverse audience. Grasping the intended meaning of a message is the primary goal of listening as a public relations specialist.
A worldwide public relations specialist must develop strong listening skills. This is necessary for the listener to actively choose to comprehend what is being stated throughout the listening process. Active listening requires concentration, effort, and a flexible perspective (Yang & Saffer, 2019). Making an intentional effort to understand the message, its subtext, and its context is required. Reduce misunderstandings and improve communication by practicing active listening. The Wolvin and Coakley and the HURIER models provide frameworks for understanding the listening process to improve listening skills. For my professional future, this project is essential.
Section 2
All career requires effective communication, but those in public relations are especially dependent on it. Public relations professionals handle interactions and connections between businesses and their stakeholders, including customers, consumers, employees, and the broader public. Success in this industry requires excellent non-listening skills to understand the needs and aspirations of the stakeholders without their requests. This assignment was undertaken during for the coursework.
A form of non-listening called pseudo-listening can undermine the effectiveness of relationships and communication in public relations. Public relations professionals who engage in pseudo-listening risk missing information that could be essential for making wise decisions or developing powerful communication plans (Smith, 2020). For instance, if a public relations professional pretends to listen during a client meeting, they might miss the client’s worries or expectations, which could cause a misunderstanding that could damage the relationship. Showing a lack of interest may have negative effects on stakeholders, customers, and dissatisfaction.
Avoiding pseudo-listening and actively engaging in active listening is crucial for success in public relations. Active listening entails paying close attention to what is being said, focusing on the context and content of the message, and offering feedback to ensure that the message has been comprehended (Smith, 2020). Public relations professionals may better grasp the requirements and expectations of the stakeholders by engaging in active listening, which will help them develop effective communication strategies and uphold goodwill.
Public relations professionals can also gain from employing a variety of listening strategies and tools, including paraphrasing, open-ended inquiries, and feedback. Restating the speaker’s message in one’s own words to paraphrase proves that the speaker’s meaning has been accurately comprehended (Smith, 2020). The message can be clarified and the speaker can be prompted to go into more detail by using open-ended questions. Giving feedback can help ensure that the speaker’s message has been understood accurately and show them that you value their thoughts and worries.
As a specialist in international public relations, I am aware of the value of clear communication and the effect that good listening has on developing enduring relationships. I use active listening skills in all communication to ensure I’m not engaging in pseudo-listening. I pay close attention to the speaker, focusing on the context and content of their message, and I employ various listening tools and strategies to understand their needs and expectations better. For instance, in a recent client meeting, I demonstrated active listening by paraphrasing the client’s message and posing open-ended questions to elicit further clarification of their feelings and expectations.
I was able to develop an effective communication strategy that addressed their concerns because I had a better understanding of their requirements and expectations as a result. I also recognized the value of giving feedback to show that the message has been understood correctly and that the speaker’s viewpoints and concerns are considered. I can keep good relations with my stakeholders and make them feel heard and valued by giving them feedback. This assignment helped me develop skills to show interest while communicating.
Section 3
The global public relations project was undertaken during the week to fulfill the course. This project was essential in its research and in exposing me to the world of public relations. The research defined the public relations industry, the key skills required in the industry, the challenges faced by PR specialists, and the career opportunities in the world. I found this assignment of great importance to my career as I felt I had been exposed to the actual world of public relations.
In this more globally connected day, the discipline of global public relations is quickly expanding. Specialists in global public relations are essential for managing reputation and communicating across various cultural contexts (Gregory, 2020). Students interested in international public relations careers should read this study project since it sheds light on the skills needed to succeed. Also, it provides insightful details about the difficulties and barriers that professionals in global PR may experience and the methods they might employ to get past them. I now better understand the abilities and information required to succeed in this industry because of this initiative.
I also needed to be able to communicate clearly both orally and in writing for the study assignment. I have to be able to explain my findings to a range of audiences and do it clearly and concisely. Any PR professional needs to be able to communicate their ideas and tactics to several stakeholders, both internally and externally; thus, this is a crucial ability. The exposure to conducting research and writing research projects will greatly help my career. I will be expected to communicate through writing and speaking in my public relations career. Having undertaken this project, I believe I am ready to write reports in the global public relations career.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the communication coursework has prepared me to enter the global public relations specialist career. Through lessons, assignments, and projects, I have gained intense knowledge of what to expect in the public relations industry. Most importantly, communication being the means of delivery in my career, I have learned the key models used in communicating, listening, and writing. This coursework has also allowed me to interact with supervisors and colleagues, learning from them and creating connections in the public relations industry.
References
Coakley, C. G. , & Wolvin, A. D. (1989). Experiential listening. New Orleans, LA: Spectra
Gregory, A. (2020). Planning and managing public relations campaigns: A strategic approach. Kogan Page Publishers.
LibreTexts. (2022, December 24). 6.6: Ineffective listening practices. Social Sci LibreTexts. https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Interpersonal_Communication/Interpersonal_Communication%3A_Context_and_Connection_(OERI)/06%3A_Listening/6.06%3A_Ineffective_Listening_Practices
REDDI, C. (2019). Effective public relations and media strategy (3rd ed.). PHI Learning Pvt.
Smith, R. D. (2020). Strategic planning for public relations. Routledge.
Yang, A., & Saffer, A. J. (2019). Embracing a network perspective in the network society: The dawn of a new paradigm in strategic public relations. Public Relations Review, 45(4), 101843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2019.101843
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