Introduction

Leadership is a critical skill for PR professionals navigating the fast-paced and ever-changing communication landscape. Whether leading a PR team, managing client relationships, or driving strategic campaigns, effective leadership ensures clarity, vision, and impact. This course is designed to equip PR professionals with the leadership skills needed to inspire teams, make strategic decisions, and drive success in an evolving digital and media environment.

Through hands-on activities, real-world case studies, and expert insights, participants will develop essential leadership competencies tailored specifically for public relations and communications roles.

Course Objectives

• Understand the core leadership principles in PR.
• Develop strong decision-making and strategic thinking skills.
• Enhance communication and emotional intelligence for effective leadership.
• Learn how to manage and motivate PR teams.
• Navigate crisis leadership and reputation management.
• Foster innovation and adaptability in PR leadership.
• Build influence and thought leadership within the industry.

Who Should Attend?

• PR Managers and Directors looking to enhance their leadership approach.
• Corporate Communications Leaders responsible for team management and strategy.
• PR Professionals aspiring to leadership roles.
• Marketing and Communications Specialists transitioning into leadership positions.
• Entrepreneurs and Business Owners seeking leadership skills in PR and communications.
• Consultants and Freelancers who want to establish themselves as industry leaders.

Course Outline

Day 1: Foundations of Leadership in PR

• Morning Session: What Makes a Great PR Leader?

  • Key leadership qualities in public relations.
  • Leadership styles and their impact on PR teams.
  • Case Study: Inspiring PR leaders and their leadership approaches.

• Afternoon Session: Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence

  • The role of emotional intelligence in PR leadership.
  • Managing stress, pressure, and fast-changing media landscapes.
  • Hands-On Activity: Leadership self-assessment and emotional intelligence test.

Day 2: Strategic Thinking and Decision-Making for PR Leaders

• Morning Session: Leading with Vision and Strategy

  • How to align PR strategies with business goals.
  • Long-term planning vs. short-term crisis response.
  • Hands-On Activity: Crafting a strategic leadership vision.

• Afternoon Session: Decision-Making Under Pressure

  • The psychology of decision-making in high-stakes PR situations.
  • Analyzing risks and making data-driven PR decisions.
  • Case Study: Crisis leadership and decision-making in action.

Day 3: Leading and Managing PR Teams

• Morning Session: Motivating and Inspiring Your Team

  • Leadership approaches for diverse PR teams.
  • Building team culture and fostering collaboration.
  • Hands-On Activity: Team motivation and problem-solving simulation.

• Afternoon Session: Effective Communication for PR Leaders

  • Mastering internal and external leadership communication.
  • Handling difficult conversations and conflicts within teams.
  • Role-Playing Exercise: Practicing leadership conversations.

Day 4: Crisis Leadership and Reputation Management

• Morning Session: Leading in Times of Crisis

  • The leader’s role in crisis communication.
  • Decision-making, messaging, and public perception management.
  • Case Study: PR crisis leadership lessons from global brands.

• Afternoon Session: Ethics and Integrity in PR Leadership

  • Leading with integrity and building trust.
  • Navigating ethical dilemmas in PR leadership.
  • Hands-On Activity: Ethical decision-making scenario analysis.

Day 5: Innovation, Influence, and Future-Proofing PR Leadership

• Morning Session: Innovation and Adaptability in PR

  • How PR leaders drive innovation in communication strategies.
  • Leveraging technology, AI, and digital trends in leadership.
  • Hands-On Activity: Developing an innovative PR leadership roadmap.

• Afternoon Session: Thought Leadership and Industry Influence

  • Building personal brand and influence as a PR leader.
  • Public speaking and media presence for leadership positioning.
  • Course Wrap-Up: Leadership growth plan and final Q&A.

Course Delivery Method

• Expert Lectures: Leadership insights from PR industry leaders.
• Case Studies: Learning from successful PR leadership examples.
• Interactive Workshops: Hands-on activities for leadership skill development.
• Role-Playing Exercises: Simulating leadership challenges and solutions.
• Panel Discussions: Conversations with top PR leaders on leadership trends.
• Networking Sessions: Connecting with peers and industry mentors.

Materials and Resources Provided

• PR Leadership Workbook: Strategy development exercises and templates.
• Leadership Communication Guide: Best practices for managing teams and media.
• Crisis Leadership Playbook: Steps to lead during reputational challenges.
• Certificate of Completion: Recognizing leadership expertise in PR.