The Power of Pause

by Olga Mayoral Wilson, APR, Fellow PRSA

ith the dawn of each New Year, I deliberately reserve quiet time to take the opportunity to evaluate the last 12 months as they relate to my years on Earth. Through the impact of COVID-19, its variants, and newly imposed ways of life, I admit that, like many, I have adapted and made the best of it with my family and friends. I have discovered more than one thing during this long period.

All in all, I believe that my life has been and continues to be a gift, and I’m thankful for all challenges I have encountered. I learned early on that changes can be sudden and remain constant in our lives. However, the changes throughout the last two years have arrived at a faster pace. The changes as a result of COVID-19 defy the zones of comfort in my life, my family, neighborhoods, and schools. The changes disrupt my established routine, my beliefs, and my expectations. These changes claim access to my surroundings and act as a stop sign while traveling in unknown territory.

Intermission

I’m a leader, a strategic communicator specializing in crisis communications, and an educator. I believe that, in life, to stop is a must. I pause to take in the temperature of the surroundings and gather as much information as possible from reliable sources. This allows me to closely evaluate various scenarios and possibilities and anticipate outcomes. Then, and only then, I decide how to proceed. I have discovered that owning each moment is decisive to what happens next when encountering change, and that each challenge makes me stronger and wiser.

As a leader, I believe that living life fully is not a matter of toughness but of resilience.

Experience Generates Wisdom

Many years ago, a very successful and creative advertising professional in Hawaii shared his wisdom with three words: Patience, Persistence, and Perseverance. This was definitely a gamechanger in my life’s outlook. It is through acquired patience that I give myself permission and time to ponder, to evaluate, to realign, and to direct my actions with perseverance. This philosophy has helped me adapt to new changes as they come.

The Past Influences the Future

Quiet reflection brings up all sorts of memories. I look at my past experiences from the present perspective and re-identify their impact on my life. The first unexpected and sudden change was the loss of my father when I was barely 20 years of age. I recall the pain, the unanswered questions, the sense of loss—and a large stop sign. Looking back and taking inventory, I am able to confirm that I moved forward successfully, supported and guided by the rich lessons my father taught me at home: the significance of truth, kindness, generosity, and respect. This has translated into sound leadership characteristics and ethical values integrated into everything I do. I’m the leader I am today because of his example, teachings, guidance, and love.

Cultural Uniqueness and Nuances

Partaking in the beauty and uniqueness of various cultures is a gift of life. I share my experiences with my students and mentees both professionally and personally as a Hispanic woman. Their backgrounds are richly diverse — in demographics, economics, education, ethnicity, gender identification, and race.

I share with them the importance of integrating culture as part of their leadership development. For example, the native languages and/or dialects of their grandparents, as well as the significance of religion, food, and music in their lives. Stories of people just like themselves are rich in discovery and very often reflect patience, persistence, and perseverance. I find that students want to see themselves in others, and this reflection is a constructive path toward positive and enriched leadership.

Learning and Leading

As a leader, I believe that living life fully is not a matter of toughness but of resilience. It’s a matter of being intentional in living my ethical values and taking the high road by being true to myself. I firmly believe in Maya Angelou’s words: “We are only as blind as we want to be.”

Change is inevitable; how we approach change is a choice. I remain committed to patience, persistence, and perseverance as I look to the future and encourage you to do the same.

Olga Mayoral Wilson, APR, Fellow PRSA, is described as a resilient, determined, and trusted Puerto Rican woman and multicultural leader who excels as a crisis communication strategist; diversity, equity, and inclusion advocate; educator; mentor; and forever volunteer.

Wilson dedicated 10 years as senior lecturer at Texas State University SJMC teaching public relations research, campaigns, and writing. She coordinated the Hachar Visiting Hispanic Media Professionals Program, dedicated to developing and recruiting Laredo youth. She was the public relations sequence coordinator for one year, PRSSA chapter faculty advisor, and Latino Community Association (LCA) faculty advisor.

Wilson’s extensive career includes various high-profile leadership roles in Texas, Hawaii, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. She received Texas State University’s 2018 Excellence in Diversity Award for exceptional service and commitment to diversity. In Puerto Rico, she secured the ARPPR Excel, the Francisco “Paco” Oller for creativity, and the Puerto Rico Public Relations Professional Association’s Professional of the Year Award.

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