What Public Relations Professionals Can Learn from the U.S. Women’s World Cup Team

One of the biggest headlines of the past week was that the U.S. Women’s World Cup team won 5-2 over Japan, marking its third Women’s World Cup title. Anyone who watched the game was inevitably swept up by the excitement and adrenaline. The American women handily defeated the Japanese in an impressive display of athleticism, poise and nerve.

But beyond the thrill of watching the game, as I witnessed these American women claim victory over Japan, I observed a few key traits that every one of these professional athletes have in common, which great public relations professionals must also embody.

• Teamwork: Although Carli Lloyd may have stolen the show and taken the lead in the final game with her record-setting hat-trick, the U.S. win was undeniably a team effort. In the world of PR, teamwork is equally important. While different members of an account team will often take the lead at different times on behalf of their clients, nothing can be accomplished without the collaboration of an entire team working together like a well-oiled machine. From the interns to the CEO, all members of an agency play a vital role in the success of its clients, whether they’re working behind the scenes or are at the forefront of scoring top-tier media placements.
• Preparation: The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team made winning the World Cup look effortless, but it took years of hard work and preparation to make that achievement a reality. While preparation in PR doesn’t involve sprints or footwork training, it certainly involves its own fair share of prep work – we’re constantly scouring the news, researching new reporters and publications to pitch, seeking opportunities for our clients and becoming experts at the industries our clients represent. Only once this preparation is complete can we seize an opportunity for our clients, create a successful pitch or tactfully manage a crisis.
• Mental Self Care: In sports and PR, alike, success often comes down to getting back to the basics. Reflecting on her outstanding performance in the final World Cup game, Carli Lloyd explained, “…you can have all the tools out there, but if your mental state isn’t good enough, you can’t bring yourself to bigger and better things.” It seems simple, but a healthy and positive mental outlook can be the most important tool, whether you’re an athlete or a public relations professional. While you can’t control a lot of external factors or circumstances, you don’t have to let undue stress or chaos unnerve you. Healthy lifestyle practices, such as getting enough sleep, staying organized and maintaining a healthy work-home balance will help you to coolly and confidently tackle each day’s challenges.

While most of us aren’t World Cup-caliber athletes, PR practitioners (or anyone for that matter) should aim to incorporate these key principles in their own professional and personal lives.

— Laura Bulman