photo credit: chefkatiedixon.com
MasterChef season 7 contestant, Katie Dixon grew up in Brookhaven, MS, and spent a good portion of her childhood on her grandparent’s farm working in the field with her grandpa and in the kitchen with her “mawmaw.” This is where she cultivated her love for cooking and for the people of Mississippi.
Now, Katie is a personal trainer, chef at Sunshine Cafe and past MasterChef contestant.
Her mission is to make Mississippi a healthy and happier place.
She wants to teach people about healthy, whole foods and how to make healthier versions of southern favorites.
Katie recently shared her story and MasterChef experience at our local public relations association meeting. She didn’t necessarily intend it, but her message was full of public relations lessons.
PR Lesson No.1 – Encourage Others
Katie stressed the importance of encouraging others. She said, “be the encourager you wanted someone else to be for you.”
Sometimes people just need a kind word or some advice to help move forward. By supporting others, we can help them achieve their goals.
The encouragement I have received has pushed me to enter award competitions and out of my introverted comfort zone. This has helped my professional development and built my confidence. My confidence presenting to a group of PR professionals has improved and I regularly advocate for change.
PR Lesson No. 2 – Relationships Bring Opportunity
Katie urged us to build relationships by regularly engaging with people in a kind manner.
She said you never know what connection will influence you in the future. But, building these relationships shouldn’t come from a place of “what can you do for me.” They should be genuine and reciprocal.
Relationships Katie made more than ten years ago have influenced her reign as MasterChef. For instance, one relationship led to speaking with the Neiman Marcus Make Some Noise campaign.
PR Lesson No. 3 – Have Gratitude
Katie said Gordon Ramsay would rebuke her for smiling while she received criticism. She told him, she was just so happy and grateful to be there and felt like she had come so far.
When we get strung out, we need to give ourselves a serious gratitude check. Reflect on who supports you, how you got where you are and what opportunities await.
Playing the victim will cloud your vision. Walking with gratitude will open many doors.
Public relations itself can be a field full of gratitude. When we work for an organization we truly believe in, being able to represent it and the people it serves is a privilege.
PR Lesson No. 4 – Continually Learn
I love this one! Katie said, “I’d like to meet my good Lord the day I stop learning things.”
She urged us to learn something daily. By doing so, we invest in ourselves and improve our ability to help others.
As a PR pro, if you aren’t continually learning and investing in your professional development, you are doing it wrong. You will fall behind.
PR Lesson No. 5 – Dream Big
Growing up, Katie’s grandma would tell her to reach for the farthest star. She told her, if you don’t make it, that’s OK because there are other ones that you’ll land on.
Ten years from now, where do you want to be? You might not end up exactly where you planned, but by dreaming big you ensure you’ll land somewhere awesome.
Push your boundaries and reach beyond your limits.
PR Lesson No. 6 – Learn to Fail
Related to dreaming big is learning how to fail. Katie encouraged us to get out there even when we think we might fail. This is how to grow and learn.
When you learn how to extract value from failure, it can be transformational for our PR practices and organizations.
PR Lesson No. 7 – Dare to Be Your Authentic Self
Physically pointing at us, Katie said your best isn’t someone else’s best, or vice-versa. “You are you and don’t try to be anyone else.”
For Katie, nothing the show asked her to do would’ve been worth it if she had to compromise who she was. She knew her daughters were at home watching and she had to set a good example.
This lesson extends into the role of public relations as an organizational representative. Inconsistent behavior creates a sense of uneasiness. To earn trust with fans, co-workers, clients, etc. we must be consistent with our actions and behaviors.
When we are truly ourselves, real connections are formed.
When we don’t compromise our personal or organizational values, we can be proud of our work.
PR Lesson No. 8 – Make Your Mark
Katie implored us to seriously consider what we want to be remembered by. She said don’t be afraid to make an impact.
This is something to take to heart. As communications professionals we have the ability to persuade and responsibility to do so in an ethical manner.
What message will you advocate? What do you want to influence or change?
PR Lesson No. 9 – Pause and Reevaluate
Busy schedules can result in getting caught in the mundane. When we feel this happening, Katie said it’s time to pause and reevaluate.
Take time to reflect on your purpose and goals. Are you staying on target?
Is your organization taking daily action to move towards its vision?
PR Lesson No. 10 – Take Care of Yourself
This is a bonus lesson, but it influences all aspects of our life. By eating healthy food that fuels our body, drinking water and getting enough sleep we can engage fully and do our jobs well.
Katie’s life mission directs her actions and it’s clear she is headed towards a faraway star. By following her PR lessons we too can follow a similar trajectory.
