36: Professional Development: You Can’t Succeed Without It

My job is professional development. I teach business leaders how to up their communication game in workshops, talks and online forums...and podcasts.  I’d like to think that I have my presentation and curriculum development skills up to par with some of the best--a requirement when you’re trying to keep high-achieving students engaged. But I hear two things from many of my audience members: either they feel like their organization doesn’t offer much in the way of professional development for someone at their level or they just don’t have time to engage in developing their professional skills. I don’t care if you’re an entry-level employee or running a department, interning out of college or are CEO of your organization, every person in business today needs to focus on professional development. If you don’t keep developing your skills, you’re going to get left behind. And those books on your bookshelves don’t really qualify as professional development. How do you find the time? On-demand learning, when you learn exactly what you need, at a time that’s convenient for you. And right from the comfort of your home or office. Mentioned In This Episode Cutlip and Center's Effective Public Relations (11th Edition) AP Stylebook (2019 Edition)  Crisis Communications: Master of Disaster Dave Ramsey Suze Orman: Women and Money  Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days by Chris Guillebeau The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss Profit First by Mike Michalowicz The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale Daring Greatly by Brené Brown How to Train for and Run Your Best Marathon by Gordon Bloch Episode 30: How to Nail Your Next Media Interview   Molly McPherson, M.S., APR, combines her knowledge of current communication practices with years of news and PR experience to help people become modern-age communicators in their industry and help to build crisis-proof businesses. From her work in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the cruise line industry in Washington, D.C., Molly develops the right plans and messaging for clients to protect and build their reputations.  Listen + subscribe on Stitcher or Apple Podcasts.Want More Behind the Breakdown? Follow The PR Breakdown with Molly McPherson on Substack for early access to podcast episodes, private member chats, weekly live sessions, and monthly workshops that go deeper than the mic. It is the inside hub for communicators who want real strategy, clear judgment, and a little side-eye where it counts.Follow Molly on Substack Subscribe to Molly's Weekly Newsletter  Need a Keynote Speaker? Drawing from real-world PR battles, Molly delivers the same engaging stories and hard-won crisis insights from the podcast to your live audience. Click here to book Molly for your next meeting. Follow & Connect with Molly:https://www.youtube.com/mollymcphersonhttps://mollymcpherson.substack.com/https://www.tiktok.com/@mollybmcphersonhttps://www.instagram.com/molly.mcpherson/...