The Opal Lens launches to close the soft skills gap in PR agencies
Agencies are quick to say they invest in their people, but that investment is usually in relation to what the work is - the hard skills, the platforms and the processes. The reality is they invest far less in the more crucial element – how someone works. Advanced soft skills, like managing pressure, overcoming setbacks, having confidence, are often left to the individual to develop by themselves. Today, The Opal Lens, a new coaching service for the PR, marketing and creative industries, has launched with a mission to close that gap.
The Opal Lens is founded by Jen Walker, who spent almost 20 years inside the industry she's now coaching – rising to MD, working across agencies including The Academy, MHP, Frank, Golin, MSL and Porter Novelli.
Jen believes that the industry currently only has half the picture when it comes to employee development and support. The traits agencies most need – resilience, clarity under pressure, confidence, determination – don't come from a training workshop or a 360 review. They come through coaching.
"There's still a sink or swim mentality in this
industry when it comes to how we work - it's unnecessary and it's outdated. For
too long, brilliant people haven't had the chance to perform anywhere near what
they're capable of. All that does is restrict who they and the agency can be."
