We were lucky to catch up with Anna Crowe recently and have shared our conversation below.
Anna, thank you so much for making time for us today. We can’t wait to dive into your story and the lessons you’ve learned along the way, but maybe we can start with something foundational to your success. How have you gone about developing your ability to communicate effectively?
Communications has always been a fascinating topic for me. As a young girl growing up in Moscow, I only spoke Russian for many years, and I recall being intentional in my communication from an early age. I think I mostly learned about the power of words through reading Russian literature and memorizing poetry. One of the wonderful things about the Russian language is the power of its words – some words can harness incredible emotion and deep meaning.
When I moved to America, at the age of twelve, I temporarily struggled with the English language and communication, in general. It wasn’t that I couldn’t comprehend it, but I found myself using British and American English interchangeably and needing more words to communicate my message. Part of this was likely due to cultural assimilation and slang I encountered in the Bronx, NY, where my family settled. Another factor was likely my fear of being misunderstood and embarrassed. I bet If you had told that 12-year-old girl that she’d be running an U.S.-based communications agency 25+ years later, she wouldn’t have believed you.
Today, I still believe that words carry immense power and energy, and we must be intentional in our communications, personal or professional. Reading remains a major source of inspiration for me, and I continuously work on improving my self-editing skills, both in writing and speaking, to focus on the most important topics. Over the years, I’ve also learned the value of active listening. I try to remain quiet (both vocally and mentally) while listening to truly comprehend rather than simply respond. It’s amazing what can be communicated with body language alone.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
About Anna: Anna Crowe is a dynamic entrepreneur, sought-after speaker and accomplished public relations executive who captivates teams and audiences, igniting their motivation and unlocking their potential. With bold insights on innovation, purpose and creativity, Anna blends sharp entrepreneurial instincts with personal life experiences.
Her inspiring journey from immigrant to industry leader is a testament to her relentless determination, fearless mindset and boundless creativity. As CEO of Crowe PR, an Inc. 5000 company for three consecutive years, Anna is a visionary leader, recognized with honors such as CEO of the Year and Women Who Mean Business. She also serves as the 2024-2025 president of the Entrepreneurs Organization’s San Diego chapter and teaches marketing at the Knauss School of Business.
Anna is the author of the Amazon Best-seller Get Real and co-author of Lead Like a Woman. Driven by a passion for empowering others, Anna’s bold insights and infectious enthusiasm challenge others to embrace their unique abilities and defy the status quo.
About the Company:
Crowe PR, founded in 2015, is a dynamic integrated PR agency specializing in consumer goods, healthcare & technology and destinations, resorts & experiences brands. The agency excels in delivering measurable ROI through a strategic blend of traditional and digital services, including media relations, thought leadership, influencer marketing and content creation. Crowe PR’s data-driven approach and industry-specific expertise enable tailored strategies that align with clients’ business objectives. The agency’s commitment to company culture and employee development has resulted in an impressive 85-90% retention rate and multiple San Diego Business Journal Best Place to Work recognitions. Crowe PR’s success is further evidenced by its inclusion on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies list for three consecutive years.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe my journey has been positively impacted by my top three strengths, as identified by Clifton Strength Finders: ideation, activation and achiever.
Ideation has been crucial throughout my life. I’ve always had an abundance of ideas – many not immediately executable, but they’ve kept my mind curious and enabled me to stay creative, especially when facing unforeseen circumstances. I love starting each day by ideating, finding solutions to problems and pushing myself outside my comfort zone.
The activation strength allows me to turn these ideas into action rather than letting them dissipate. While this can sometimes lead to an abundance of activity in my life, it also ensures that I follow through – a critical aspect of my work and a strong personal trait. Delivering on promises is fundamental to my approach.
The achiever strength drives me to do my best work. I don’t believe in cutting corners and set ambitious goals and high standards for myself and others. Although this can occasionally be challenging, maintaining awareness around it and allowing grace for myself and others helps ensure we achieve excellence while continuing to learn, grow and maintain our wellbeing.
Advice for those early in their career journey:
Cultivate curiosity and creativity. Regularly challenge yourself to think outside the box and generate new ideas, even if seemingly impractical at first.
Practice follow-through. Make a habit of turning your ideas into action, even in small ways. This builds credibility and helps you learn from both successes and failures.
Strive for excellence but balance it with self-compassion. This balance is key to achieving sustainable success and personal growth.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
My biggest area of growth over the past 12 months has been focusing on my zone of genius and leveraging my time for high-impact projects, tasks and meetings. This improvement didn’t come easily, as I naturally enjoy problem-solving and ideating, which often led me to get bogged down in issues others could solve or in prolonged brainstorming sessions.
Recognizing that this tendency wasn’t serving me or others well, I’ve made a conscious effort to be more intentional with my time and responsibilities. I’ve improved at delegating tasks and ensuring that my time is primarily spent on items that truly require my unique skillset, my “superpowers,” if you will.
Simultaneously, I have learned to lean into the strengths of others, allowing them to tackle tasks that align with their own areas of expertise. This shift has not only improved my productivity but also has empowered my team members to display and develop their own capabilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crowepr.com/
- Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annacrowe25/
- Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/acrowepr/
