We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Julia Lechner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Julia below.
Julia, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
In my first career, as a newspaper reporter, I had the opportunity to interview a variety of people from all walks of life.
One day I met a really shy geologist who was fascinated by local watersheds in the area. I asked him a few questions about his work, and he was off to the races. Someone who is typically introverted, and didn’t always have a lot of people asking about his passion, truly lit up when talking about his work and answering my follow-up questions.
In that moment I remember thinking: “Wow, I love helping people share their stories.”
Everyone around us has at least one thing that they’re obsessed with, they can talk about for 30+ minutes, and makes them curious, fired up, or excited.
It’s a really special moment when you make space, listen, learn, and help them share their stories.
Every professional role I have held has related back to storytelling, and, in my free time, I also perform live at storytelling shows around Los Angeles.
Stories aren’t just entertaining, they connect people, they inspire people, and they leave a lasting impression. I believe everyone has a unique story to share, and I’m fortunate to have found my purpose and my gift to be able to help others tell theirs and feel seen through my stories as well.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Something special about me is that I am able to blend the speed, accuracy, and news judgment of a reporter with the creativity of a comedian, entertainment journalist, and witty social media manager.
As I have followed my professional curiosity and sought out opportunities to grow throughout my career, I have worked in news, comedy, podcasting, entertainment journalism, streaming television, and tech. Currently, I serve as the Head of Editorial for a popular neighborhood app.
Throughout my professional career, I have written online articles that have gotten millions of clicks, interviewed famous celebrities, led award-winning content teams, and even been up on stage at the NYSE Opening Bell Ringing.
While my work experience has been wide-ranging, what has remained true is that I love the power of storytelling, the rush of creative brainstorming, and the impact of being able to coach and mentor others.
I have never been steered wrong when following my curiosity and seeking out new challenges and ways to stretch myself while remaining true to my strengths.
I have goals in mind, both personally and professionally, for the future, and it is exciting to learn along the way and have new stories to share about my experiences.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Curiosity has had a huge impact on my career. It is what prompted me, as an intern and early career professional, to go up to colleagues and ask them about their work, leading to opportunities for me to take on new roles and projects. Curiosity and a willingness to learn will get you far.
If you find yourself struggling with the concept of curiosity, try taking notes on the books, podcasts, and quotes that pique your interest. If you find yourself going down a YouTube rabbit hole, that may be a topic that interests you. Take note and look for the through line to understand what makes you curious about that subject. Are you always volunteering for a specific type of project at work? Seek out the commonalities and lean into that curiosity, which, in turn, will lead to more knowledge and development opportunities.
2. Adaptability is another professional attribute that has served me well. New technologies, trends, and tools are constantly emerging. Being flexible and adjusting to change isn’t just helpful when a surprise project hits your desk, it is beneficial throughout your career, because it is very likely the nature of your work will continue to change over the years.
My advice for improving your flexibility is to challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone regularly. Seek out opportunities that push your boundaries, whether it’s taking on projects that are slightly beyond your current skill set, volunteering to work with cross-functional teams, or exploring new areas of expertise. The more you expose yourself to different challenges, the more adaptable you’ll become, and the better equipped you’ll be to navigate the ever-changing landscape of your career.
3. As a storyteller and communicator at heart, effective communication and interpersonal skills are the third quality that have made a major impact in my career. Whether you’re working within a team, collaborating with clients, or presenting ideas to stakeholders, strong communication skills are vital.
To develop and improve these skills, my advice is to practice active listening, seek feedback on your communication style, and engage in public speaking and group discussions. Networking events and professional associations can also provide valuable platforms to hone your interpersonal skills. Remember that the ability to convey your thoughts clearly, empathize with others, and build rapport can open doors and facilitate your professional growth.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I strive to be well-rounded because broadening your knowledge and diversifying your skillset can ultimately complement and enhance your existing strengths.
When I became an on-air personality for Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM, I felt confident in my abilities to host shows, deliver newscasts and updates, and to speak to listeners, but I initially felt intimidated by the tech requirements for the role. I was afraid to fail at operating a control board, scheduling programming, and engineering segments, but I put in extra time to study and practice these skills before taking on my new role.
When I focused on improving my weaker areas, it allowed me to better leverage my strengths in creative problem-solving and to better understand a broader scope of what it takes to run a radio station. As I got more comfortable using sound editing tools, it helped me to outline shows I would like to pitch and record and later led to me pursuing multiple opportunities in the emerging field of podcasting.
Being well-rounded, in both personal and professional pursuits, can provide you with the context and tools you need to maximize the impact of your strengths.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.juliaevelechner.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaevelechner/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julialechner/
