Chief Influencer

Host Anthony Shop interviews the Honorable Jacques Pitteloud, Switzerland's Ambassador to the United States. Since his appointment in 2019, Ambassador Pitteloud has leveraged his extensive Foreign Service career since 1987, serving in diverse locations such as Saudi Arabia, Kenya, and Uganda. 

Pitteloud passionately discusses his mission to redefine perceptions of Switzerland. He underscores the robust economic and technological bonds between Switzerland and the U.S., underscoring the need to tailor communications for different cultural contexts.

Addressing the evolving landscape of diplomacy, Pitteloud highlights his innovative use of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube to foster engagement and transparency. Drawing from his leadership experience across organizations of varying scales, he advocates for public education as a tool against misinformation, emphasizing the importance of trust in leadership.

Takeaways:
  • Embrace Social Media: Leaders should be willing to leverage social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to communicate their messages effectively. While there's a risk, approaching it with positivity and humor can significantly enhance engagement and brand image.
  • Adapt Communication Style: It is crucial to understand and adapt to different communication styles based on cultural and linguistic contexts. Tailoring your message to fit the audience's expectations can build stronger connections and trust.
  • Trust Your Team: Building trust within your team is essential. Start by assuming that your team members are competent and letting them do their jobs. Micromanaging can stifle creativity and productivity.
  • Stay Educated: Continuous learning is vital for effective leadership. Regularly reading and staying informed about industry trends, history, and current events can provide a deeper understanding and better decision-making.
  • Balance Personal and Professional Brands: Authenticity in leadership can be enhanced by blending personal passions and professional responsibilities wisely. Sharing personal interests or hobbies can make leaders more relatable and approachable.
  • Address Misinformation Strategically: Given the rise of misinformation, it is vital to educate your audience and provide well-analyzed, contextually rich information. Immediate responses are less valuable than meaningful interpretations of events.
  • Lead with Humor and Positivity: Humor and positivity in communication can make leaders more approachable and their messages more memorable. Self-deprecating humor, in particular, helps create a connection without offending others.

Quote of the Show:
  • "There are so many embassies, so many countries vying for two minutes of attention from decision-makers. How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd? If social media is a means to achieve that, as long as it remains nice, decent, and sometimes even funny— why not? So, we made the video, and suddenly it was reaching hundreds of thousands. There were a few other instances, and then there was the Instagram thing. On We Are The Embassy of Switzerland, which I never thought would reach the 3.4 million mark. I mean, if Kim Kardashian needs some paying advice from me, she can call me."

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Creators & Guests

Host
Anthony Shop
Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.
Producer
Amanda Goyette
Amanda loves bringing people's visions to life through podcasting!
Producer
Robert Krueger
Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.

What is Chief Influencer?

Chief Influencer is a podcast that explores how today’s successful leaders inspire and influence others to make an impact in the world. They aren’t just Chief Executives, they’re “Chief Influencers.” We interview a range of leaders and uncover how they build authentic connections - both inside their organizations and beyond. Your next breakthrough idea may come from a Chief Influencer facing similar challenges in a completely different sector.