This episode features the uncut conversation between Mitch Santala and Washington DC-area PR professional Jamie Higdon. Jamie and Mitch discuss a wide range of leadership topics, from what defines an entrepreneur all the way down to reaching the end of your leadership path.
Jamie starts the conversation by responding to Mitch’s question about what defines an entrepreneur and how everyone defines it a little differently. According to Jamie, there are two types.
The two move onto “The Whole Enchilada Spirit” where Jamie cites an article she read in 2012 (see link below) and how it lead her to the philosophy that you can have it all…but that you may have to shift some things around to make it happen.
Mitch parlays that answer into his next question about how Jamie juggles multiple roles and projects at once. Jamie remarks that priorities have to be adaptable, while still maintaining structure. She gives a unique definition to her decisions and talks about her approach to seizing opportunities.
The conversation moves to the importance of a support system, both personally and professionally, and Mitch remarks that chances of success are a lot higher for those who have a team of supporters versus those who try to do it all on their own. Jamie delivers the best line of the interview as she and Mitch delve into the role of communications in a company.
Jamie shares her philosophy on how to be an entrepreneur with the knowledge you already have. She also talks about limitations and how important it is to be humble when you don’t have an answer. She also gives a surprising answer about where she sees the end of her communications journey.
Finally, Mitch asks Jamie our signature question about her favorite Mexican food restaurant and what she’ll order.
While there is no shortage of fine dining options in the DC area, Jamie says that she would take us to La Lomita Dos Mexican Food on Pennsylvania Avenue, where she would dive into the warm chips and salsa and order a double portion of the chicken and beef fajitas. Ahhh…we can hear the sizzle now.
Table Talk:
Mitch, Gil, Erin, and Isaac the Intern tackle Mitch’s interview with Washington DC-area PR professional Jamie Higdon.
After Isaac the Intern gets a serious snubbing, Gil dives right into his take on Jamie’s crisis communication quote, where she delivers one of our favorite lines ever. Gil recalls his experience in the PR field when the company he worked for had to train all of their employees to speak on their behalf during a crisis and how your employees are your most important assets and always your primary audience. Gil also delivers a funny line that’s a close second to Jamie’s.
Erin is struck by Jamie’s surprising lack of definition of an entrepreneurial leader, citing her kids and their proclivities toward entrepreneurialism. As a mom, Erin agrees because her own kids display totally different skill sets, any of which could lead to entrepreneurial leadership.
Isaac the Intern says that, as a recent college graduate, he’s in the thick of Jamie’s non-definition of entrepreneurialism. And while there may not be a class on being an entrepreneur, he was encouraged throughout his education to do entrepreneurial things.
Mitch dives into Jamie’s answer to the question, “How do you do it all?” and focuses on the importance of timing, including Cher’s 1989 wish for the ability to go back in time. He says you can’t pay attention to everything…you’ll just end up paying attention to nothing at all. Mitch finishes his thoughts with a challenge to our listeners about the importance of timing over time.
Links:
“Why Women Still Can’t Have It All” The Atlantic, July/August 2012. Anne-Marie Slaughter.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/07/why-women-still-cant-have-it-all/309020/?gclid=CjwKCAjwlbr8BRA0EiwAnt4MTlicoC7CNtNMfN9ScDTsN5ms7HdsjiLSDtUo4m0PSpkqvY0AYya6TBoCqjcQAvD_BwE
Book: The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive. Author Patrick Lencioni.
https://www.tablegroup.com/books/obsessions/
Book: The One Thing. Authors Gary Keller and Jay Papasan.
https://www.the1thing.com/
La Lomita Dos Mexican Food
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g28970-d481018-Reviews-La_Lomita_Dos_Pennsylvania_Ave-Washington_DC_District_of_Columbia.html
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