IABC Fellow Designation: ‘A Great Recognition and Honor’

The IABC Fellow designation is the highest honor IABC can bestow upon a member. Becoming an IABC Fellow signifies a body of achievement by a communicator who has made a significant impact not only on their organization and IABC, but also on the communication profession itself.

To learn more about the designation, we connected with the three members of the IABC Fellows Class of 2021: Stephanie Griffiths, Jane Mitchell and Caroline Sapriel. These new fellows share insights about the importance of cross-functional collaboration in the communication profession, as well as the ideal qualities for a Fellow submission.

How does the IABC Fellow designation advance a communication professional’s career?

Stephanie Griffiths, IABC Fellow (SG): To be honored with a Fellow designation from IABC constitutes recognition, or perhaps acknowledgement, of one’s professional endeavor from a leading international organization with an established track record and exceptionally high standards. This would certainly create confidence in the communicator’s ability to deliver best practice solutions, very much in the same way as being accredited by the association.

Jane Mitchell, FRSA, IABC Fellow (JM): I’m not sure that it does do that. It’s an immense honor and perhaps does more for one’s reputation. Although as a Fellow, I do feel more confident to pursue pastures new! Having only been anointed in 2021, it might be too early for me to tell. I’ll get back to you on that!

Caroline Sapriel, IABC Fellow (CS): It’s the ultimate recognition by the best in the profession — a truly meaningful honor.

Think back on a situation or project that you are most proud of. Describe the project and your role in it as a communication leader. How did this work impact the profession?

SG: Having been in professional practice for more than 30 years, this is a tough one to answer. I have been exposed to many cutting-edge projects by the clients I have been privileged to serve over the years, so I am reluctant to name any single one. I think, though, that the projects I have undertaken applying communication as a catalyst in organizational development — from constituent and diagnostic research through conflict resolution and change management to leadership development — have demonstrated the role that communication can play throughout any organization. My role has been as an external consultant, and I have been privileged to work across industry and parastatal sectors where my clients have been receptive to this approach.

JM: I’m reflecting on a corporate values rollout for a global public services sector provider. With involvement and support from the top of the organization to the front line, we developed a powerful program that embedded values into systems and processes while enabling a selection of face-to-face interactions to embed the values into the heart, body and soul of all employees. The project has become a model of how to strategically align words with behaviors and actions.

CS: The launch of CS&A’s “10 Commandments of Crisis Management,” which won a Gold Quill in 2011 on the occasion of our 20th anniversary, was such a moment. Our ability to capture best practice crisis management and communication via 10 commandments that are easy to follow and refer to summarizes our expertise in the subject matter. CS&A’s “10 Commandments of Crisis Management” continue to receive recognition and feedback across fellow communication professionals and crisis management practitioners globally.

Recent IABC research shows that communication professionals are most likely to thrive when they are knowledgeable about multiple business functions within their organizations. As a Fellow, how do you demonstrate this cross-functional skill in your practice?

SG: The work that I have done with our national Standards Generating Body and as an external advisor on tertiary curricula has always stressed the importance of acquiring skills in associated disciplines, such as research and organizational development. The communicator has the capacity to make a very real difference if they are willing to function as a multi-disciplinary professional.

JM: IABC is an exemplar of creating connection across the world. Being an IABC Fellow, doesn’t make any difference to how I demonstrate this skill.  That skill is a contributory factor to becoming a Fellow and being a member of IABC. I think it is in our DNA to connect across organizations and communities. I have a phrase that has kept me honest since I was a fledgling communication professional, and that is to “join dots.” It is crucial that we do it in all aspects of our work.

CS: The IABC Fellow designation is like a badge of credentials that raises the individual’s profile and credibility in the organization across functions. Equally, to be named a Fellow, one must demonstrate a solid grasp of business beyond the realm of the communication profession to drive change and results as a communicator.

Share one piece of advice for those considering nominating a communication professional for the IABC Fellow designation. Why take advantage of this distinguished opportunity?  

SG: There are many deserving practitioners who work without recognition and very often in isolation. I would ask myself what the potential candidate has demonstrably — and preferably quantifiably — contributed to the standards of practice. And as so many people have contributed so much, how do we identify and acknowledge these true professionals?

JM: There is every possibility that an IABC Fellow designation will open doors to help today’s society. It needs all the help it can get — we need to rebuild communities and people’s sense of well-being. To do that, we need to rebuild trust across the world. If communicators and communication cannot do that, what are we doing? This is an opportunity to pay back and be a force for good.

CS: The communication profession still suffers from a lack of “official” recognition among other disciplines and business/corporate functions. The IABC Fellow designation affords a valuable level of professional recognition which is an opportunity that should not be missed in the communicator’s career.