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Transcript:

Asif Choudry (00:08):

Hello, and welcome to another episode in the You’re my CommsHero podcast. And I’m your host Asif Choudry. Today my guest is Clarissa Langham. Clarissa is an internal comms professional who started her career in journalism before discovering a passion for internal communications. She’s recently joined AQ a’s internal comms team from the nhs, where she managed internal comms and engagement for the largest hospital merger in the country. And then during the pandemic as well, uh, a real comms hero challenge, uh, book. But Clarissa obviously rose to that. And, uh, she’s also a qualified counselor, not practicing, uh, and before the pandemic held many retreats combining meditation and creativity. Uh, she grew up in North Wales, now lives in Manchester, and, um, has had an interesting life experience experiencing living and working in LA for three years as well, uh, with all the celebs and the, uh, glamor that goes on there. So, Clarissa, it’s, uh, a pleasure to welcome you as a guest on the podcast.

Clarissa Langham (01:11):

Oh, it’s great to meet you. It’s a, it’s such an honor to be here. I’m such a big fan of everything that you do with Comms Hero and, um, yeah. So thanks so much for inviting me to, to be part of it.

Asif Choudry (01:21):

No, you’re welcome. And it’s really nice to, um, uh, have you on here as well. So, uh, I’ve, I’ve got to ask a little bit. We’re gonna do the getting to know you bit before I ask some of the usual questions. Living in LA what’s it like? Is it like what it’s on, on these documentaries and all this stuff that people like me watch all the time?

Clarissa Langham (01:40):

Some of it is, some of it’s really like that, and then some of it’s just really normal, where you’re just going into the supermarket and buying dinner and meeting up with friends and things like that, going to work, coming back from work. So that was a really interesting part of it. But yeah, did a few of the fun things. Went to Beverly Hills, you know, for dinner, and went out there and stuff like that. Went to the beaches and all of that. And yeah.

Asif Choudry (02:02):

Name, name, drop any, uh, yeah, name drop. Any celebs that you met out there.

Clarissa Langham (02:07):

<laugh>, I hardly saw any celebs. And then my parents came to visit for a week. They saw Dermot’s, um, O’Leary on the plane, <laugh>, then they, then they saw, um, Gordon, what’s his chef’s name? I’ve had a complete blast. Gordon Ramsey. Gordon Ramsey and his family. Yeah, they saw, they saw another celeb as well. And I hardly saw any, like, I saw Andy McDowell getting a coffee, um, <laugh>, but that was pretty much it, although you might recognize it. So yeah, <laugh>,

Asif Choudry (02:35):

So they’re, they’re harder to, they’re harder to spot than, uh, you might think then. So LA for three years, I’m sure you’ve created some jealousy for our listeners with, um, with that who would be dreaming of, um, uh, what it’s like. But going to the supermarket and doing normal stuff, it just doesn’t sound like an LA thing, or certainly not would, would make a good documentary or something that we’d be watching on, um, on Netflix or whatever. So we’re gonna, we’re in the getting to to know You section, so we’re gonna, um, uh, ask just a couple of questions here for you. Cla uh, Clarissa. So I’m gonna start with, um, uh, Twitter or Instagram.

Clarissa Langham (03:11):

I think I like them for different things. So the Instagram, I’ve used quite a lot for talking about how many retreats that I used to hold, um, and sort of those like real really close sort of engagement with people in that sort of audience. Um, lots of friends I’ve got on there as well. Um, whereas Twitter’s been a bit more for work, I’d say, and things that I’m interested in. Yeah. Um, keeping up with the news, conversations like that. Um, so I just see them as, and, and I worked in the nhs, um, joined the Pandemic. Twitter actually became a place where communicated quite a lot with colleagues. Um, so yeah, so I like them both, but in different ways, I suppose is what I’m trying to say.

Asif Choudry (03:47):

Yeah, no, I, I tend to find the same thing. Twitter, definitely from an engagement and a, um, a business perspective. It’s definitely one. Then, uh, we had Andy Barr on, uh, on the podcast recently talking about Twitter for business, and, uh, I was nodding in agreement with quite a lot of his. Brilliant. So he was good. Yeah, he tested out. We, we ran out of batteries in our BLE machine when, uh, Andy was on <laugh> and, uh,

Clarissa Langham (04:11):

Fun

Asif Choudry (04:11):

It though. It was, yeah, it was brilliant. It was, it was a lot of fun. Uh, apple or Android,

Clarissa Langham (04:16):

Apple definitely. Um, so I’ve got the phone, laptop. Yeah, everything. Um, yeah, I just find it easier to use.

Asif Choudry (04:24):

Yeah, it’s a coms thing, definitely. Although we did have it is I interviewed, uh, somebody last week who’s their episode is airing in October, and, um, they did say Android, so it just take me by surprise when it does come up. And I’ll ask you, um, a final one. Uh, do you prefer an e-book or a printed book?

Clarissa Langham (04:47):

A printed book? I’ve tried an e-book, um, but I always go back to printed. I also realize if I should give it more of a go book, um, it’s not being on a screen, it’s, you know, it’s different than that. So I do, I do still like a printed book.

Asif Choudry (04:58):

Yeah. And I’ve got to, the reason I ask that, I, I mean, I’ve asked that of a few guests, but the, the reason I left that to last is because you’ve, um, you’re pursuing, uh, your ambition and actually finishing writing a novel and having it, um, published. So is that, uh, is that something ongoing for you then? At the moment?

Clarissa Langham (05:19):

Yes. I’ve tried to write novels a few times. Um, but yeah, there’s one that I’m quite far into writing at the moment. Um, and sometimes people say to me, you know, why’d you write outside work when it’s what you do for a living? Um, but it’s very different. It’s, you know, it’s creative. It’s something that I always like to do when I was younger, when I was a kid. So it’s something that I’ve sort of picked up again, um, you know, more recently. And yeah, that’s an ambition that I want to achieve just to, just to finish it. If I get it published, great. But, um, yeah, I really enjoy writing and reading.

Asif Choudry (05:46):

Fantastic. And you’ll be, um, going back to LA as a celeb, uh, uh, when you published your fifth novel, um, hit novel. So, uh, so you heard it, it here first, as long as we can get a signed copy here at Comms Zero, then we’ll be happy. So, um, oh yeah, that’s, that’s really interesting actually, Claris, and thanks for sharing, uh, some of that, uh, insider of knowledge and getting to know you. So, um, we’re kind of got talking really, because you, you know, as comms pros, we often promote wellbeing resources to our internal colleagues and wider audiences. And you talk, um, about the importance, and you’ll be doing that in this podcast, the importance of resting and recharging for comms heroes. And it’s always on culture and how to, how to actually do it. It sounds silly, but how to actually take breaks and the fact that it can be productive. And you’ve got a model of four Cs, which are different types of rest, um, focusing on, um, and helping people to rebalance. So we’re gonna cover, uh, that within the podcast and it’s gonna be a fantastic episode. So I’m gonna kick off with the first question. So, uh, and it sounds a bit bizarre talking about resting, but it’s definitely come up quite a lot. So what does resting and recharging mean for you in practical terms, and why do you think this is an important topic for comms pros?

Clarissa Langham (07:07):

Um, yeah, so resting recharging for me is about stepping out of the busyness of work. Um, and the way I think as comms pros, we can be all things to all people and people are looking at for that from us. Um, so we are juggling lots of different priorities, ways of delivering communications, expertise, um, sometimes sort of last minute requests that can come in, multiple different requests. Um, so we listen, we advise, we deal with sensitive information, we are strategizing, we’re planning, then we are delivering through the wide range of channels and materials that we, that we produce, um, materials for and through. Um, so it’s a lot really, and I think, um, it’s a lot of multitasking. Um, and that can be really for naturally, um, to be acting in that way and to have that sort of adrenaline. Um, but I think it’s important to balance that out.

Clarissa Langham (07:56):

For me. This is something that I found, I could just talk it from my own experience really. Um, and what I’ve realized is that, um, I put it broadly into four categories, um, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while. Um, the idea of different realms of resting and recharging. Um, it’s not just about necessarily resting, lying down, not doing anything. There’s lots of ways to rest and recharge. Um, so the areas I’ve come up with, um, fall under these four Cs, it sounds a little bit cheesy, it wasn’t intentional. The first two just came, came up as starting with cs, so I thought I’ll go with that. And, um, comm starts with a C as well. So, uh, sort of a bit of a fun thing. Perfect.

Asif Choudry (08:36):

It’s gonna be easy to remember, wasn’t it? And those, those those requests that you mentioned, you know, the juggling many different priorities and uh, and what have you, we’ve got probably 30 plus of those on the front of coms, zero T-shirts that anyone like yourself, Clarissa, who uh, have booked a place at coms zero week, um, ha have had the pleasure of ordering and scrolling through and choosing the, can you just arrange, can you just pretty it up and um, uh, and can you just put it on the homepage? Can you make it go viral? All the things that we get all day every day, and, uh, this is our, uh, imagine wearing one of those to work and, um, uh, somebody comes in, uh, on a teams meeting or in person if you’re in the office. And, uh, actually can you just, was was there a request and they saw that on a t-shirt and that would be something else. Um, so let’s go into these four C’s then explore this further then. So what is the first C Clarissa?

Clarissa Langham (09:33):

So the first one is calm. Um, and these are the activities that activate the parasympathetic nervous system. So as comms pros, we’re often juggling a lot. Um, like we’ve talked about, um, dealing with emerging requests. Um, so our sensors are on high alert, um, our bodies start producing adrenaline. Um, this leads to rising blood pressure, uh, breathing rate, heartbeats tension in our bodies. It’s the, um, phy or flight response. Um, yeah.

Clarissa Langham (10:04):

So we get into that place in adrenaline and other chemicals kicking in, which, like I say, that can be really good. It helps us to perform, um, better in the moment. Um, but we also know that there’s lots of research about sustained stress, like this isn’t good for our health, um, in the short and the long term. Um, so the counterbalance to that, and I’ll just say it’s my fam myself, sometimes when you’re in that space, it’s, it’s then quite hard to switch off. You get used to just being in that mode all the time. The pandemic, you know, was a bit like that. Yeah, all the times of busy work can be like that. Um, so the counterbalance to that is to spend time calming our bodies and minds and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. Um, and that’s why rest is productive. Um, the alternative is that overactivity the sustained stress which can damage our health. And then we are not able to do the things we want to anyway, we’re not able to perform. And also importantly, it isn’t good for us as individuals.

Asif Choudry (10:59):

Yeah. And I think many people will, listening will be nodding in agreement that comes, um, always on culture. That’s definitely there. I think everybody experienced that, especially probably more so, uh, if you’re in digital and social media exec manager type roles. But I don’t think it’s just limited to those specific roles because as a, uh, profession, we’re naturally involved in social, so you don’t have to be, uh, um, actually executing social media activity to, uh, to understand the importance of it for yourself and for your own brand and how it works within your organization and with, with peers and with networks. So not always on culture’s, definitely there, but there’s definitely a movement towards people being more receptive towards this, um, self care type situation that, you know, people aren’t afraid. It’s not a sign of of weakness anymore. And I think that’s certainly taking, um, uh, taking shape now with the likes of, um, uh, C I P R and P R C A with the, uh, mental health programs and support that they’re giving to their members as well. So let’s explore calm a little bit more. So what are some of the ways to become calm and as it can be easier said than done when you are, as you explained, Clarissa, when you’re so busy all the time.

Clarissa Langham (12:25):

Yeah, definitely. Um, well I was a journalist earlier on in my career and, um, I mean, it was great experience. It was really interesting, exciting, like I say, like you were talking about that sort of on culture all the time, really lots of deadlines. Um, but I was also finding, I was on high alert a lot, um, and it was difficult to switch off. Um, so I was also writing features for a magazine, um, that was part of that newspaper group. And I was assigned to write a feature about meditation at the local Buddhist center. Um, I didn’t have any experience of it, uh, went along and just found it so helpful that I then started meditating. Uh, and the important thing to remember with that for me is that you don’t do it perfectly. You know, you sit there, first of all, and you think you’re gonna calm your mind.

Clarissa Langham (13:10):

I mean, lots of people practice meditation now, so lots of people will already have experience of this, but your mind can wander off because that’s the way it works. Um, and as com pros, I think we’re used to planning ahead and thinking about a lot of different things, you know, sometimes overthinking, um, and that again can be quite, uh, useful, a useful skill to have, um, coming up with creative ideas and things like that. Um, but even with short sessions over time, meditation does help with focus and just general wellbeing. Um, keeping work in perspective and feeling more grounded. And I know that this, um, interview came from I’d gone to a spa, um, and I’d posted something about it on LinkedIn. Um, and that sort of thing is can be really good to sort of ground you and slow you down. Um, and other, other, all the climbing activities I like, um, you know, which are just small things you can do if you can’t go off to a spa.

Clarissa Langham (14:00):

We can’t always do that, uh, all the time. Yeah. Um, with different commitments. Uh, things like guided relaxation, there’s lots on YouTube that you can listen to or even going to workshops and classes, um, mindfulness, yoga, um, I find, you know, really good. Um, you know, all the exercise. Um, I really liked the episode with, uh, Frank Sinclair, which I listened to, um, about, yeah, exercise and fitness and um, you know, that’s all part of it as well, isn’t it? Um, and then just sort things like having a bath, you know, with EEPs and salts and good old nap, you know, without feeling guilty about it because I think sometimes we can feel guilty, um, but actually that self-care, as you said then helps us to be better for ourselves and for everyone around us as well. So it isn’t selfish actually. It’s actually, um, quite sensible.

Asif Choudry (14:52):

Yeah. Like I say, I think that’s what people are kind of realizing. They say that on, um, in the kind of emergency, uh, demonstrations when you’re on a plane, it’s put your own mask on first. And I think that that culture, I love that, that’s definitely something, yeah, it’s, it’s very easy to understand. You, you have to, especially if you’re in a managerial role, you’ve got to look after yourself to be able to continue that leadership, um, with your teams because there is a limit to everyone physically. Uh, you know, everyone does have that limit. So the first C is calm. So we’ve done, we’ve explored that. The, the second one, which is one that most comms people will relate to because this definitely is something that everyone has, uh, within them. So tell us more about this one, Clarissa.

Clarissa Langham (15:40):

So the second one, which hopefully comms people will like, is creativity. Um, and something that takes you outside of yourself. And I, most comms professionals I think are naturally creative. I’d be really interested to know what you think about this, obviously cuz you know, so many, um, comms professionals. But, um, it’s definitely the case with or most, or even all of the comms professionals I’ve worked with who are lots of ’em are my friends as well, um, that they tend to be creative. Um, but sometimes being able to, to bring that out in yourself unless it blossom when you’re very busy at work, can be a bit of a challenge. Um, because sometimes it is sitting, replying to a lot of emails that doesn’t necessarily stimulate the creative brain. Uh, we need time to reflect and be inspired, um, alone and in collaboration as well.

Clarissa Langham (16:27):

You know, I like, and a lot of colleagues I know like to get out some colored pens and paper, you know, we all love digital, but um, or a whiteboard and or use a digital creative collaboration space to come up with ideas and have that space and time to do that. Uh, which we don’t always when it’s busy. Um, and I also think everyone benefits from creativity outside the work realm. Um, I mean this isn’t just comms pros, um, but the sort of creativity that we enjoyed as kids, um, it doesn’t have to be about achieving anything. And I think that’s a good thing because you always feel recharged after you’ve done something creative. Um, and it’s hard to worry about work or think about the next thing that’s coming up when you’re doing something creative cuz you get quite, um, quite absorbed in it really. So, um, you know, it can be quite small things as well, um, outside work or maybe it’s something working with colleagues, you know, to come up with something sort of creative activity that you can do, uh, together, uh, like a class or a workshop, something that’s fun. We also all of, um, creative stationery, you know, so just little, little ways to bring creativity into your day like that.

Asif Choudry (17:35):

Absolutely. And that, um, uh, you know, forced brainstorming sessions. I, I read somewhere, uh, recently that, you know, allowing yourself that freedom to where there’s no pressure on a or I’ve scheduled in an hour, hour of creativity. Well, it doesn’t necessarily just come to you like that because, you know, we, we, I’ve worked with creative so many years and, uh, um, sometimes they’re, they could spend eight hours trying to be creative, but it just, some days it just doesn’t come, um, it doesn’t click. And then all of a sudden completely randomly that, that that thought just, you know, that that real big headline or that creative concept idea just, uh, floods your mind. But it’s usually as you’ve said in those unexpected moments when you’re not even in work mode because you’ve allowed yourself that freedom to, to just, you know, let your thoughts just, uh, rummage around and flow in your brain and things like that.

Asif Choudry (18:33):

So it’s really important. And I, I I’ve read, um, stolen Focus by Johan Harry, and in, in that it talks about achieving that state of flow where you, um, you know, you’re in that kind of, in the zone in effect, that’s probably another way to to to, uh, to phrase it, where that creativity and those ideas are just such, so clear that, you know, you, your best ideas will come up those particular times, but there is a method and a process to get into that state of flow and, um, the distractions of emails and social media and everything else doesn’t necessarily allow you to do that. So we’ve explored Calm. Yeah, so we’ve explored calm and creativity. So we’re moving on to the third one of the four Cs now. And this is, um, uh, uh, a big one in terms of something you’ve mentioned and and comms hero as a a, a community itself. So what’s, what is the third one? Clarissa?

Clarissa Langham (19:37):

It, it’s connection. Um, and this was something that Frank Sinclair talked about a lot as well in the, in the podcast. And I know it was talking about the amazing connection that the comms hero community has. Um, so, and I think, um, for, for everybody, but for comm’s, um, people, um, friends, family, um, community, you know, that feels supportive, um, depending on, you know, how that works for you, where you are on the introversion, extroversion spectrum and all sorts of things like that. But having some sort of connection with people, um, you know, it is just really helpful to have that perspective outside work, which helps you to reach out, rest and recharge, um, so that you are not just sort of, you know, I recognize con get into a zone of sort of very much what I’m doing. And I think that connection really, um, takes you out of that and gives you support.

Clarissa Langham (20:27):

Um, and another perspective, um, connecting with other comms pros who understand the challenges of the role, I think is vital because not everybody does as much as, yeah. Um, colleagues are fantastic. Um, listening to podcasts, you know, like the Comms Hero podcast makes you feel part of a community. Um, and that there’s others that understand the sort of challenges and opportunities and what we get excited about is comms people. Um, social media, you know, is fantastic. I think, you know, it’s important to keep an eye on that, you know, for me, um, maybe for other people. So it doesn’t take away from real connection as well. I think that was like an ongoing balance and stolen focus. I’ve started to, um, to listen to that on Audible after you recommended it. Um, so I think there’s always a bit of a balance with that. But also social media can be fantastic for connecting with people.

Clarissa Langham (21:16):

Um, I think also, you know, to get professional help and guidance when you need it. Um, like coaching and mentoring and accessing employee health and wellbeing services, um, employee assistance, things like that, you know, are out there. They’re not just for general col, you know, they’re there for comms people as well, um, who are absorbing a lot of, of information. Um, you know, maybe we think we’re the strong ones in the background sometimes who are supporting everybody else. Um, but the pressures for everyone are real and, you know, it isn’t a competition that’s available for everybody. Um, and it is that thing of, you know, put on your own oxygen mask before helping other people. So, yeah. Um, so I think it’s important, you know, to, to make sure that we don’t see it as a weakness, what we see as a strength to, you know, reach out and connect with other people.

Asif Choudry (22:03):

Yeah, absolutely. It’s, it’s very important because it can, it can be surrounded by people in teams or, uh, but it can be quite a lonely place sometimes when you’ve got that, especially if you’re in that creative or non-creative zone. And, um, uh, the community, the comms community is a fantastic one for sharing best practice or just sounding off the right ideas. And, uh, if you’re in a sector which is not one where you’re competing against other organizations, it’s, that’s where I find comms people really come to the fore there and there’s definitely that sharing culture. So yeah. But get connecting with them because, um, there’s probably somebody who’s gone through the same or similar situation and you can learn from that. I’ll just, sharing that experience with somebody just does help. But some really good sound advice that you’ve, um, shared there in terms of that connection and the professional help as well. So the, the fourth and final one then Clarissa just, uh, hit us with that.

Clarissa Langham (23:05):

So the fourth one is change and courage, both start with a c, um, adventure, whatever that means for me or for you. Uh, the thing that, you know, you’d benefit from. So some sort of novelty or something you haven’t done for a while, maybe since you were a kid. Like I said, you know, sometimes some of these things are things that we just really loved as kids and then as we got adults, we were gonna be a little serious and we don’t, don’t do them as much. So it could be a hobby, um, like ice skating, horse riding, skateboarding, um, something like that for me, writing art, um, you know, anything that, you know, um, that only you know, will really benefit you. Um, other people, people might not understand it. Um, and that’s okay cuz sometimes I think you have to be courageous and bold and say, this is what I need to do and can you support me to do that?

Clarissa Langham (23:55):

I’ll do the same for you. And it can be quite challenging, you know, with family commitments and things like that, um, to say, you know, this is something that I feel like I need to do for myself. Um, it can feel selfish, but I think it, it does go back to the thing that sentiment we were talking about before of doing things that are uniquely ours means will thrive as individuals and only we can know what that is. Um, and to reciprocate that for other people as well and give them permission when you go and do that for yourself. I think that does then show other people that they, that you know that they can do that too. Um, it might be a place you want to go to, like a happy place or, you know, somewhere that you’ve always wanted to visit. Um, you know, maybe a workshop or something like that or a walk. Uh, I really like the artist’s way, I dunno whether you Julia Cameron’s artist’s way where she talks about going on an artist date for yourself or, or something like that. Um, but yeah, I think, I think it can be challenging this I I for, you know, sometimes, but I think it’s always, always really worth it to, to go and do that. And then, um, you come back a sort of stronger, more inspired, happier person for everybody, um, around you.

Asif Choudry (25:06):

No, absolutely. So the, we’ve covered the four Cs then, and I’m sure there’s lots of, uh, the listeners who kind of been, you know, noting stuff down or thinking, oh yes, I do that, or actually that’s quite easy to do, but it, it all sounds really great when we’re talking about it here, but you talked about people being busy, you know, how how do we fit all this in, you know, how realistic is it to, to be able to manage these four Cs?

Clarissa Langham (25:35):

I think, you know, isn’t something that can be done perfectly. Um, it shouldn’t be, and we shouldn’t fall into a trap of it becoming something else on the to-do list that you sort of beat yourself up about cuz you’re not doing enough of it or not doing it perfectly. Um, so I think it’s about doing a bit, you know, regularly coming back to it when I, you know, I find I’ve sort of drifted off from it and not done something for a while. Um, talking to people and saying, you know, could do with this should, should we go and do something together? It doesn’t have to all be, you know, sort of on your own. Um, and knowing that it’s sometimes harder than others. So if you’re particularly busy at work or you’ve got something going on in your family, um, it can be a bit harder.

Clarissa Langham (26:17):

But I think just remembering that small steps really count. So you don’t want a day if it’s, i, if it’s really busy, I can put on a podcast or listen to some music that makes me feel good or go for a walk for 10 minutes, um, just switch off and rest, listen to a short guided meditation or, or watch something funny and inspiring. You know, it doesn’t have to all be serious. It can be something fun that just makes you feel really good. I speak to a friend who makes you laugh, you know, know something like that. Um, or just take half an hour off at lunch, um, you know, or even 10 minutes if that’s all you can do. Um, because all of these things, you know, really do add up.

Asif Choudry (26:52):

Yeah. So you’d recommend then the, um, don’t feel guilty for any of those people listening who are box set binges on Netflix or Prime or, oh definitely. Whatever it is. Just because, you know, if that’s, that’s what helps you to have a bit of downtime where you kind of just letting your mind, uh, just run free as it were or concentrate on something completely different, then do that. And I, again, I see a lot of commentary about allowing yourself to do things like that because those thingss, if you’re not doing something a a a, a good point you raised, there was, you know, the pressure of people sometimes putting themselves that, oh, it’s not, it’s not CCP d so, you know, reading for me it’s ccpd cause I’m not a, I’m a huge reader, I have to have a reason. But for other people who like reading, you know, I wish I could read, um, uh, novels and uh, fiction and stuff like that, but it’s just something that’s never appealed to me.

Asif Choudry (27:49):

But I can, uh, take in a box set binge with the best of them, you know, quite easily. And, uh, but there is that sometimes guilty feeling, oh, I’ve watched so many hours of TV this week and, uh, uh, that sort of stuff, uh, you know, as, as culture changes that you’re not beating yourself up all the time. So, um, I did listen to this year, I started listening to, uh, audio books just because I’m still commuting into the office and, uh, I’ve probably listened to more books by doing that. And Atomic Habits, uh, is one of them where it does talk about 1% changes across a number of different elements in your work and personal life that the compound effect of those changes can be quite significant. So what you said there about all of those things really do add up. It’s actually, there’s lots of people saying exactly the same. So, uh, just that’s really interesting. Yeah. Small steps, um, which are achievable really, uh, rather than trying to go for this. Yeah. Uh, yeah, the big hairy, audacious goal that people talk about that it’s too far away, isn’t it, that um, you

Clarissa Langham (28:52):

Don’t to try and you don’t, and then you don’t do it. You feel discouraged about it. Yeah. Yeah. And I think as well, you know, it, it is important that if you don’t like yoga, then that’s like, you know, it doesn’t have to be a particular thing. It is about, you know, I love a box set binge, or you want to go out with some friends or, you know, whatever it is. It, I think it’s about being yourself and doing whatever absolutely it is that helps you to feel recharged.

Asif Choudry (29:10):

And, uh, you mentioned Comms Zero in the third c the, um, connection. And so Jordan, why is Comms Zero important to you and would you recommend people working in comms and marketing to be part of it?

Clarissa Langham (29:26):

I think Comm’s Hero is just absolutely fantastic. I remember the first time I saw it and I thought, what an amazing idea, <laugh>. Um, because there wasn’t anything like that for, for comm’s people. And it’s, it’s that feeling of um, which is so important to people. I think people really just want to be seen and recognized, um, and to connect with other people. So, um, it’s inspiring. The podcast is really inspiring. It’s really down to earth. It doesn’t even feel like work when you listen to it. Um, and I love all the merch, so I’ve just ordered my t-shirt for com zero. So I think that’s fantastic. It’s really creative and, and makes you feel like you’re part of something and that’s, you know, that’s important. But it, it, there’s a lot of fun as well. I think that, that you have with, with com zero.

Asif Choudry (30:04):

No, I think it’s, the fun part is important because you, it is that the lighthearted view of what is usually a very serious professional, although it’s full of creativity, um, dependent on, well, it doesn’t depend actually which sector, because every business has gone through a crisis of some description and that’s when the job is a very serious one. But there are other creative elements, but, you know, we wanted to just create that space for people to, who work in a very serious and profession, which we value and somewhere to just celebrate their heroics that those coms people perform every day. And, and it’s a safe space to do that because we can say things like, oh, you know, I just got a asked to, uh, create a logo or whatever it might have been. You know, there’s ridiculous requests that come in all the time.

Asif Choudry (30:54):

So, um, no, I’m glad, uh, it’s really nice to hear that feedback and it’s, it’s great that, you know, eight years on, it’s still delivering and we’ll, we’ll continue with it as long as the community wants it, you know? So, um, and we do invest a lot of time in bringing that community together and com zero week is just one part of that. But those conversations happen on a regular basis, on a, on a daily basis in fact. And, um, so it’s, it’s been a fantastic interview and I’m sure the com zero listeners will enjoy listening, uh, whether you are, uh, hoovering or ironing or whatever it is you’re doing when you’re listening to podcasts. Uh, and we, uh, I mentioned that because Clarissa, we had a Twitter exchange, didn’t we in terms of, you were listening to the Frank Sinclair podcast, uh, whilst Hoovering, um, Frank actually replied to your tweet and commented <laugh> um, back as well, which again, is just a great part of the, the community. So, um, we do want, connection is important. We want people to connect with you. So how will they find you? What are your social handles?

Clarissa Langham (31:57):

Um, so on Twitter, I’m Clarissa Langham, um, on LinkedIn, Clarissa Bracket, satchel Langham <laugh>. Um, and then on Instagram I am Clarissa Retreats. That’s from when I was holding the, um, sort of mini retreats, um, pre pandemic and I dunno whether I’ll, I’ll be doing that again. But it still sort of has a lot of themes around wellbeing and things like that. So, um, it’s Clarissa Retreats on Instagram.

Asif Choudry (32:20):

Excellent. And please do connect with Clarissa for, um, you know, some great content and I’m sure she’ll be happy to answer any questions if you have them. So you’ll find this podcast on Spotify, apple and on our website com zero.com and you can follow us on Twitter at com zero. If you are listening, please do leave a rating and review. That’s important for us. And, um, Clarissa, it’s been a fantastic interview and I’m sure the listeners are gonna enjoy it. So thank you very much for your time.

Clarissa Langham (32:49):

Thank you so much. It’s been amazing. Thank you.