In this special episode of Chief Influencer, we feature a new leader at our partner The George Washington University. Lesley Lopez is the Director of the Graduate Program for Public Relations and Communications at the Graduate School of Political Management.

An elected Maryland State Delegate, Lesley is a Chief Influencer in her own right. She recently transitioned from her role as an adjunct professor to lead the Graduate Program for Public Relations and Communications, where she is developing new approaches to engage professional students about the issues that matter in today’s world. Lesley emphasizes the importance of two-way influence, coalition building, and authenticity in politics. She also highlights her innovative initiatives at GW, including a focus on AI in communications and social impact, and invites listeners to engage with the program and its offerings.

Takeaways:

• Embrace Authenticity in Leadership: Be genuine in your interactions and share real experiences to build trust and credibility.
• Develop Your Unique Leadership Style: Reflect on your personal strengths, passions, and experiences to carve out a leadership style that feels natural to you.
• Master the Art of Conflict Resolution: Understand where others are coming from and build bridges despite disagreements to foster cooperation and inclusive decisions.
• Be Transparent and Accessible: Regularly engage with your audience, even informally, to demystify your role and build a deeper connection with your constituents.
• Leverage Social Media for Genuine Connections: Use social media to share personal stories and behind-the-scenes glimpses into your life, making your digital presence more relatable and engaging.
• Balance Visibility with Humility: While being proactive in sharing your work is important, demonstrating humility and serving genuinely can resonate deeply with the public.
• Continual Learning and Adaptation: Stay informed about new trends in communications, technology, or public policy, and be prepared to incorporate them into your leadership toolkit.

Quote of the Show:

• “You have to step outside of that image of who you think a politician is supposed to be and just be a real person. Just speak from the heart.”

Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleylopez/ 
• GW College of Professional Studies Website: https://cps.gwu.edu/ 

Shout Outs:

• Master’s in PR at the Graduate School of Professional Studies at GW: https://cps.gwu.edu/prc  
• Bianca Prade: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biancaprade/ 
• Washington Business Journal 
• Shannon Watts: https://momsdemandaction.org/shannon-watts/ 
  • Moms Demand Action: https://momsdemandaction.org/