Could stoÂic philoÂsophy for pubÂlic relaÂtions work?
Based on the stoÂic philoÂsophy for pubÂlic relaÂtions (PR), obstacles must be seen as growth opporÂtunÂitÂies. In this view, hardÂships will be powerÂful tools for conÂquerÂing pubÂlic opinion.
Here we go:
Zeno, the Cypriot Merchant
A few hunÂdred years BC, a Cypriot merÂchant lost everything in a shipwreck.
His name was Zeno, and accordÂing to the legend, he walked into a bookÂstore, broke and almost beaten, and searched for answers by readÂing philoÂsophy. Some years later, he went on to lay the foundÂaÂtion of Stoicism.
A stoÂic believes we should take the uniÂverse at face value.
But Stoicism is also, in more ways than one, the opposÂite of traÂdiÂtionÂal pubÂlic relaÂtions and marÂketÂing; we strive to influÂence perÂcepÂtion and manÂuÂfacÂture conÂsent by makÂing people want more.
PR is often about bigÂger, betÂter, faster, and stronger.
More drama. More conflict.
What if Zeno was right — and we are wrong?
The Obstacle is the Way
The idea of a stoÂic approach to pubÂlic relaÂtions made me revisÂit a book I read a few years ago, Ryan Holiday’s book The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumphs.
Drawing from stoÂic philoÂsophy, Holiday argues that Stoicism isn’t just about endurÂing pain and adversity with perÂseverÂance and resiÂliÂence; it’s about allowÂing these obstacles to make you grow.
Then, a stoÂic PR proÂfesÂsionÂal would avoid reachÂing the masses with fireÂworks and platÂitÂudes.
We must transÂform obstacles into opporÂtunÂitÂies to sucÂceed with the Stoic philoÂsophy for PR. The difÂfiÂculty of your path must be your best tool for conÂquerÂing pubÂlic opinion.
Could stoÂic philoÂsophy work as a modÂus operandi for PR proÂfesÂsionÂals?
Stoic Philosophy for Public Relations
Spin Academy | Online PR Courses
The Stoic PR Professional
I’m inspired by Stoicism — and intrigued by the idea of transÂlatÂing clasÂsicÂal Stoic virÂtues (wisÂdom, courÂage, justice, temÂperÂance) and applyÂing them to pubÂlic relations:
The Wisdom Pitch
“A Stoic is someone who transÂforms fear into prudence, pain into transÂformÂaÂtion, misÂtakes into iniÂtiÂation, and desires into underÂtakÂing.”
— Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Tell PR storÂies of how organÂisaÂtions can be wise and overÂcome obstacles that have stopped othÂers in their tracks. Convey PR mesÂsages on how to apply wisÂdom, knowÂledge, and experience.
The Courage Pitch
“We canÂnot choose our cirÂcumÂstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.”
— Epictetus
Tell PR storÂies of brands that nevÂer back down in the face of hardÂships that would lay waste to othÂer organÂisaÂtions. Convey PR mesÂsages of how an organÂisaÂtion can be rightÂeous even when storms are raging.
The Justice Pitch
“Concentrate every minute on doing what’s in front of you with preÂcise and genuÂine serÂiÂousÂness, tenÂderly, willÂingly, with justice.”
— Marcus Aurelius
Tell PR storÂies of how organÂisaÂtions relentÂlessly can strive for honÂesty and transÂparÂency — even when uncomÂfortÂable. Convey PR mesÂsages about how all brands, without excepÂtion, can rid themÂselves of disÂhonÂesty and incompetence.
The Temperance Pitch
“It’s not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, who is poor.”
— Seneca
Tell PR storÂies of organÂisaÂtions that strive for highÂer valÂues in a world where all othÂer organÂisaÂtions sufÂfer shortÂsightedÂness. Convey PR mesÂsages of organÂisaÂtions preÂpared to abstain from short-term gains to make the world betÂter for all.
Learn more: Stoic Philosophy for PR Professionals
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Growth by Enduring Hardships
The Stoic philoÂsophy for PR proÂfesÂsionÂals could be a pracÂticÂal approach. I like the idea of a PR proÂfesÂsionÂal who sees opporÂtunÂitÂies where othÂers only see obstacles.
I also like the idea of a PR proÂfesÂsionÂal who’s not strivÂing for short-lived fireÂworks but who strives to build brands of subÂstance. I like the idea of a PR proÂfesÂsionÂal who drives awareÂness through doing difÂfiÂcult things.
Thanks for readÂing. Please conÂsider sharÂing my pubÂlic relaÂtions blog with othÂer comÂmuÂnicÂaÂtion and marÂketÂing proÂfesÂsionÂals. If you have quesÂtions (or want to retain my PR serÂvices), please conÂtact me at jerry@​spinfactory.​com.
PR Resource: The High Road Tonality
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The High Road Tonality
An organÂisaÂtion is the total sum of all its coworkÂers. Imagine takÂing the most mature traits from each coworkÂer and comÂbinÂing them into one voice — the High Road Tonality.
Learn more: The High Road Tonality: Don’t Be Pushed Around
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