The Power of Self According to Matt Prince
Matt Prince, senior manager for public relations and brand management at Taco Bell, spoke to delegates attending the PRSSA National Assembly about the power of self and how this is important to be successful in the world that is ahead.
Prince broke the session down into six areas that allow individuals to reflect on self-identity, self-employment and self-care.
Self-identity is the equivalent of one’s brand. As we know, having a brand is vital in this field. Prince went further and broke down the actual word “brand.”
- B stands for behavior. A person’s behavior is how you act, and to be the best version of yourself. Prince says, “in regards to my behavior, I live my life like I am constantly on a first date.”
- R stands for reputation. This deals with what people say about you when you leave the room. More specifically, according to Prince, this is “how you make people feel.”
- A stands for appearance, meaning your physical presence upon meeting people. “It is important to understand the culture of the company and make sure you fit that when you interview,” says Prince.
- N stands for networking, which we all know is crucial in the field of public relations.
- D stands for definition. This refers to how other people define you as a person and professional.
Self-employment embodies thinking about your personal self as a business. “The single most important client of your PR career will be yourself,” said Prince. The idea of focusing on yourself is an essential concept because clients will come and go, but at the end of the day, your self-brand comes from confidently knowing the ways to perfect yourself.
Finally is self-care. This is important for the younger generations to focus on because of the culture we live in. Society gives the mantra that we have to prove ourselves to be continuously accepted, and that there is no work-life balance. It is imperative to focus on yourself first in order to produce successful outcomes at work for your clients. Prince says that,
“The people that are currently in this room are here because they put the focus on others first, but they take care of themselves at the same time.” Being able to do this requires prioritizing things. Prince says, “Find what matters most to you and never compromise.” Taking care of yourself is important, but knowing how to effectively deepens the ability to serve yourself and clients better.
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Maddie McClure is a junior at Western Kentucky University, native to Bowling Green, Kentucky. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in public relations with a double minor in agriculture and event planning. She is serving as her PRSSA Chapter’s vice president of digital communications. She hopes to work in the bourbon industry serving as the communications director at a local distillery in the state.
