Lucy Hurst of Screaming Squid On Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Leader During…

Posted on

Lucy Hurst of Screaming Squid On Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Leader During Uncertain & Turbulent Times

Cutting costs without a strategy: During tough times, it’s common for businesses to focus on reducing costs. However, blindly cutting costs without a clear strategy can harm the business in the long run. To avoid this, businesses should prioritize cost-cutting measures that align with their long-term goals and focus on maintaining their competitive advantage.

As part of our series about the “Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Leader During Turbulent Times”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Lucy Hurst.

Lucy Hurst is co-founder of PR Agency, Screaming Squid, along with business partner, Dexter Patten. They are both hardworking, consummate professionals who look to offer clients tailored PR strategies that will work for them and their individual business’s. Lucy and Dexter match each other’s energy and compliment each other’s skillsets making them a force to be reckoned with.

Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?

Sure, so it just started as Dexter teaching me elements of website development and the idea evolved from there, one of us then pitched the idea of a blog site & then that evolved into PR as well as that’s something I’m passionate about.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Trying to drink coffee while developing a website while there’s a spring loaded Vizsla about. I think my mac probably looks 10 years older than it is. We’ve learned that we need eyes in the back of head to anticipate what she’s going to do next.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

Obviously, my business partner, Dexter. He’s been instrumental in getting Screaming Squid to where it is, and he’s been incredibly supportive to me along the way.

Extensive research suggests that “purpose-driven businesses” are more successful in many areas. When your organization started, what was its vision, what was its purpose?

Like I said, initially it was just Dexter teaching me elements of website development, we then had the idea of doing a blog site that puts out meaningful and informative content. I was also teaching myself PR at the time (yes, I like to learn) and we decided to integrate that and offer PR services as well. Both Dexter and I are equally committed to putting out great content and providing the best services to our clients as possible.

Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion. Can you share with our readers a story from your own experience about how you lead your team during uncertain or difficult times?

I think the best way to lead your team in turbulent times is to remain transparent but to try and remain positive throughout. I’ve said before that it doesn’t hurt to have a contingency plan, it helps you if you find that need to pivot.

Did you ever consider giving up? Where did you get the motivation to continue through your challenges? What sustains your drive?

It’s only been during my lowest moments that I’ve ever considered giving up. During those moments I try not to make any rash decisions and, instead, focus on picking myself up.

Dexter and I are great at keeping each other motivated, we’ve both overcome adversity and very much match each other’s energy.

I’m an author and I believe that books have the power to change lives. Do you have a book in your life that impacted you and inspired you to be an effective leader? Can you share a story?

Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl has had a lasting impact on me. Frankl developed a theory, having been imprisoned in Auschwitz and losing his whole family, that our primary drive is not pleasure but, instead, discovering what we personally find meaningful. I always try to find out what drives people so I can continue to motivate them.

What would you say is the most critical role of a leader during challenging times?

The most important role of a leader during challenging times is to guide, empower and stabilize their team. They must have a clear vision, communicate it effectively, provide resources, stay positive and adaptable, and inspire confidence.

When the future seems so uncertain, what is the best way to boost morale? What can a leader do to inspire, motivate and engage their team?

A leader during challenging times can boost morale and inspire motivation by fostering a supportive and empowering work environment. This can be achieved by providing clear and open communication, encouraging collaboration and teamwork, recognising and rewarding positive contributions, offering support and resources to manage stress, setting realistic goals and expectations, and leading by example with a positive and solution-focused attitude. By doing so, the leader can create a work environment that helps the team thrive, even during uncertainty.

What is the best way to communicate difficult news to one’s team and customers?

Communicating difficult news to a team or customers requires transparency, empathy, and clear communication. Acknowledge the situation, provide information and context, and offer support and resources. Be honest about challenges and uncertainties, and emphasize steps being taken to address the situation. Choose the best timing and delivery method, such as in-person or a video call. Maintain a professional demeanor and follow up with clear and regular updates to build trust.

How can a leader make plans when the future is so unpredictable?

Leaders can only plan based on the circumstances they are aware of. This does make it harder to plan when the future is particularly unpredictable. However, what I would say is it’s best to have a contingency plan wherever possible and you need to remain adaptable and ready to pivot.

Is there a “number one principle” that can help guide a company through the ups and downs of turbulent times?

Personally, I’d say that remaining adaptable is the best principle for remaining sustainable during ups and downs in turbulent times.

Here is the primary question of our discussion. Based on your experience and success, what are the five most important things a business leader should do to lead effectively during uncertain and turbulent times? Please share a story or an example for each.

  1. Cutting costs without a strategy: During tough times, it’s common for businesses to focus on reducing costs. However, blindly cutting costs without a clear strategy can harm the business in the long run. To avoid this, businesses should prioritize cost-cutting measures that align with their long-term goals and focus on maintaining their competitive advantage.
  2. Failing to communicate: Lack of clear and transparent communication with employees, customers, and stakeholders can lead to confusion and mistrust. To avoid this, leaders should keep everyone informed, listen to their concerns, and communicate openly and honestly about the challenges the company is facing and the steps being taken to overcome them.
  3. Ignoring market trends and customer needs: In difficult times, companies may become too focused on survival and neglect changes in the market and customer needs. To avoid this, businesses should continue to monitor market trends and customer preferences and adjust their products, services, and offerings accordingly.
  4. Losing sight of the company’s mission and values: When faced with challenges, it’s easy for companies to become solely focused on short-term solutions. However, this can lead to decisions that go against the company’s values and mission. To avoid this, businesses should remain committed to their core values and ensure that all decisions align with their long-term goals.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

I believe that “Everything shapes you to be the person you are today. Sometimes hard lessons pay off dividends.”. That resonates with me because I’ve been through difficult times in the past, but it’s made me even stronger today and any hard times that I continue to go through, I continue to grow in strength.

How can our readers further follow your work?

They can follow us and our work either via the website or on LinkedIn

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!


Lucy Hurst of Screaming Squid On Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Leader During… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.