Work From The Inside Out 145: Don’t Discount Your Previous Experience with Elaine Bennett
Strategic messaging consultant Elaine Bennett never thought of writing as a career even though she had a teacher in high school who ushered her toward an extracurricular class on writing stating, “You're going to be a writer”. Elaine had no intention of becoming a writer. She went off to college, majored in theater with the goal of moving to New York and becoming a director.
Arriving in New York, Elaine relied on a skill she had developed in fifth grade, typing. As much as she abhorred it, it eventually opened up some work opportunities that she never would have imagined. Elaine ended up at Salomon Brothers as a temp. She also found work as a sound and light runner for some Off-Broadway shows. Elaine joined a theater group where she directed staged readings of new plays and while it was enjoyable, she wasn't making the professional progress that she wanted to. At that point, she was also doing some writing for herself, pitching articles, and discovered that she loved editing, and copy editing.
One day while temping at Salomon Bros., Elaine was sent up to the CEO’s office to write a speech for him on the spot. Gulp … From there, she was offered a permanent role as the CEO’s speechwriter. When scandal forced the executive to resign, Warren Buffett stepped in as interim CEO. Elaine's new boss, Mr. Buffett offered her one of his highest compliments, “You have a terrific ear, and you turn straight thinking into straight writing.” And that's what she's been doing ever since, melding the mind of a business person with the sensibility of an outsider to tell complex stories in a sophisticated but relatable way.
Elaine advises clients from Fortune 50 CEOs to entrepreneurs on their messaging.
In this week’s Work From The Inside Out podcast, learn more about Elaine’s journey:
- Elaine creates and delivers training on how to improve the writing of everything from internal communications to speeches.
- Her 2019 TEDx talk tackles the topic of how language can change the world.
Learn more and connect with Elaine here:
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