Watch: Kristin Hoose of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on great leadership and adaptability

Ragan’s Council Career Conversations, a recurring video series within Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council, allows members to share the tactics that made them great leaders and the lessons they’ve learned about their careers.

Kristin Hoose, senior director of external constituent communications at The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, said that every communicator is going to be faced with the ability to think outside the box — but that lack of comfort can forge a great comms leader.

“You can get learnings from challenges and that’s one of the things I always lean on,” she said. “We don’t always have the answers and that’s OK.”

Hoose also said that forging collaborative connections is among the most important skills comms leaders can have in their toolbelts.

“Relationship building is huge — but within that, it’s network building,” she said.

She added that a major part of creating collaborative ties for comms leaders is done within one’s own organization.

“Having a support team, finding a mentor and having support that’s not just part of communications but also other business departments is essential,” Hoose said. “I truly think the most success you have is when you’re collaborative and when you’re hearing from others. That’s how you become an expert.”

Check out more of our discussion with Hoose below.

Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications. In his spare time he enjoys Philly sports and hosting trivia.