At our recent Google Training Day with The Xec., we were told by Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade that what tethers the diaspora is stories. Whether it’s proverbs, superstitions, or religious tales, we communicate culture through narratives. If we stop telling our stories, then we risk someone else narrating our past, present, and future. And at a time where world leaders are trying to do exactly this, I’m doing my best to continue telling the stories I think will make a difference.
This tale today is all about luck.
“I got lucky and fell into PR.”
“I’m lucky to have worked with good people.”
“I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by colleagues who value my opinion.”
Just some of the statements I’ve said and heard over my career in comms so far. But are we giving luck too much credit?
I remember listening to an episode of the FT’s Working It podcast where guests discussed the role of luck in careers. They explored how a large number of people will put their success down to hard work and talent, but fewer will admit the role luck has played in their careers. There’s an argument that we can make our own luck, but being provided with opportunities, or being ready to capitalise on these opportunities, has the potential to put you on a different playing field.
I’ve been back and forth on this a lot. There is no doubt I’m privileged, which is dictated at least partially by luck. I recognise my privilege in being the product of people who have worked to make comms – and life – a more equitable place. But I am now also working to recognise the ways I have created my own luck.
I have made conscious decisions about which friendships I nurture, and in turn nurture me – which has created my support system. I have thought increasingly carefully about where I work, including the values of the company and how they align with my personal values – which has meant I work with people who genuinely care about my progression. I have spent a lot of time working out how I can make a meaningful impact in the comms industry by learning how to responsibly bring diversity, equity, and inclusivity into the workplace – which has meant I’ve surrounded myself with friends, mentors, and colleagues who have the same desire to drive action as me.
What’s luck got to do with it? Turns out a whole lot. But to realise the true potential of our luck, we must pay this forward. As Kristian Hoareau Foged said in my Xec. interview – let’s not just be the people who leave a ladder hanging for others to climb up. Let’s be the people who build a staircase, a lift, a rocket, and propel each other forward. We must take any opportunity we get to not only make our own luck, but make someone else’s story a little luckier too.
Connect with Amandeep Turna on LinkedIn.
Amandeep was awarded a place on The Xec. leadership scheme for UK-based Black, Asian, Mixed Race and Ethnic Minority PR and comms pros. She is being mentored by powerhouse Reesha Rajani, Group Commercial Director, Golin and Virgo Health.
