Meet Patricia Vila

We were lucky to catch up with Patricia Vila recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Patricia, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?

My parents always encouraged me to speak up for myself as well as encouraged me to communicate clearly with others. I believe that communicating clearly and effectively gives us the foundation to be successful.

Being clear and concise is so important. Communication is primarily about word choice. And when it comes to word choice, less is more. The key to powerful and persuasive communication whether written or spoken is clarity and, when possible, brevity.

Throughout my career I have always outlined carefully and explicitly what I wanted to convey. I always try to avoid unnecessary words and overly flowery language, which can distract from the message you want to share.

While working at CNN I learned that repetition may be necessary in some cases, but I also learned that it has to be used carefully and sparingly. Repeating your message can ensure that your audience receives it, but too much repetition can cause them to tune you out entirely. Learn to walk that fine balance.

Prepare, prepare and prepare. Know what you are going to say and how you are going to say it before you begin any type of communication. However, being prepared means more than just practicing a presentation.

Preparation also involves thinking about the entirety of the communication, from start to finish. Research the information you may need to support your message. Consider how you will respond to questions and criticisms. Try to anticipate the unexpected.

Be mindful of nonverbal communication, Our facial expressions, gestures, and body language can, and often do, say more than our words. Nonverbal cues must, at all times, support your message. At best, conflicting verbal and nonverbal communication can cause confusion.

Watch your tone. How you say something can be just as important as what you say. As with other nonverbal cues, your tone can add power and emphasis to the message, or it can undermine it entirely.

Tone can be easier to control when writing. Be sure to read your communication once, even twice, while thinking about tone as well as message. You may even want to read it out loud. I had a boss that would always remind me to do so.

Build your emotional intelligence. Communication is built upon a foundation of emotional intelligence. Simply put, you cannot communicate effectively with others until you can assess and understand your own feelings.

Understanding and managing your own emotions is only part of emotional intelligence. The other part equally important for effective communication is empathy for others. Taking the time to build these skills will certainly be time well-spent.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Embarking on the journey of working for myself, steering my own ship and wanting to be my own boss is the reason why I started my own business. The allure of having independence, creative control, also, an open opportunity. to work in many different areas of business. I am motivated by the idea of creating something from the ground up. Starting my business allowed me to have independence and the control that I wanted in my work with my clients. One of the main reasons I started my own business because it allows me to pursue the several opportunities that I am most passionate about. I also was driven by the desire to take control of my destiny and determine my own paycheck.

With all of that said, I am the President of Patty Vila Media and have been a dedicated communicator throughout my life. I began my career at CNN after graduating from Barry University and was one of the founders of the CNN Havana Bureau. During my four-year stay in Havana, I covered significant events including hurricanes in the Caribbean, a hostage crisis in Peru, post-9/11 news in Pakistan, and interviews with five world leaders. My coverage of Elian earned me an Edward R. Murrow award. I was also one of the youngest journalists awarded a Journalistic Fellowship at the University of Michigan, my career evolved after 13 years into public relations, marketing, and business development.

I also served as the spokesperson for five hospitals in Miami-Dade, playing a vital role in community and staff communication during COVID-19. Recently, I took 19 foster children to the Dominican Republic with Blue Mission and have also worked extensively with the homeless population as the first Director of Marketing at Chapman Partnership. Currently, my passion project is elevating Miami Institute to Stop Amputations which was founded by Dr. Pedro Martinez Clark which is working very hard to stop unnecessary amputations. I am also on the board of the Elderly Seniors in the Town of Miami Lakes. Since I love communication and it is truly my passion watch out for Pink Chair Chronicles a podcast I am starting with my dear friend. We plan on traveling the country talking to women and finding out what most matters to them. On a personal note, my passion includes community service, travel, and my family.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful include:

Resilience and Adaptability: The ability to navigate through transitions and challenges, whether it was transitioning from journalism to public relations or adapting to new roles and responsibilities. This resilience helped me stay focused on my goals despite setbacks and changes in the industry.

Advice: To develop resilience, actively seek out opportunities that challenge you outside your comfort zone. Embrace failures as learning experiences and develop a growth mindset that allows you to adapt to changing circumstances.

Communication and Relationship Building: Effective communication skills have been crucial throughout my career, whether it was as a journalist, spokesperson, or in business development. Building strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and community members has also been instrumental in advancing my projects and initiatives.

Advice: Practice active listening and work on improving both verbal and written communication skills. Invest time in building and nurturing professional relationships through networking, mentorship, and collaboration. These relationships often open doors to new opportunities and support.

Vision and Strategic Thinking: Having a clear vision for my career and passion projects, and the ability to think strategically about how to achieve those goals, has been pivotal. This included identifying opportunities that aligned with my values and long-term objectives.

Advice: Continuously refine your personal and professional goals. Set aside time for reflection and strategic planning to map out steps towards achieving those goals. Stay informed about industry trends and developments to make informed decisions about your career path.

For those early in their journey, my advice would be:

Embrace Learning: Stay curious and continuously seek opportunities to learn and grow. Take on new challenges that allow you to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for your desired career path.

Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and allies who can provide guidance, feedback, and support. Networking is not just about finding opportunities but also about learning from others’ experiences.

Stay Resilient: Understand that setbacks and challenges are part of the journey. Cultivate resilience by focusing on solutions, maintaining a positive attitude, and learning from every experience.

By focusing on developing these qualities and skills early on, individuals can build a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling career journey, much like I have experienced in my own path.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would love to meet professionals from other countries to able to work on projects abroad. I love the world and I am completely open to meeting with event planners, producers, photographers, writers and content creators and brainstorm on how we can collaborate.

Collaboration can take many forms, from joint projects and partnerships to mentorship or advisory roles. I am flexible and open to exploring different ways of working together with leaders in the different industries.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: pattyvilamedia
• Facebook: Patty Vila
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-vila-6b067212/
• Yelp: Patty Vila Media

Image Credits

Patty Vila Photo
Walking the halls of Congress lobbying for better healthcare