Professional development is often treated as something separate from the day-to-day work: attend a conference, take a course, share what you learned, and move on. But real growth requires more than occasional training.
In this episode, Tayhlor Blackwell, Partner at REED, explains how her agency made professional development part of its operating system and everyday culture. What began as a response to rapid organizational growth evolved into a structured approach that connects individual development with the goals of the firm.
Tayhlor discusses the importance of cultivating a growth mindset, setting intentional goals, and creating regular opportunities for feedback. She also explains why feedback needs to be timely, transparent, and specific—and why approaching difficult conversations with curiosity helps both the person giving feedback and the person receiving it.
Tayhlor also explains the business case for investing in people. When professional development is tied to organizational priorities, the benefits can extend beyond employee retention to stronger client relationships, deeper expertise, and better systems that remain valuable even when employees eventually move on.
Key Takeaways
- Professional development is more effective when it is embedded in everyday agency culture rather than treated as an occasional perk.
- Individual development goals should support both the employee’s growth and the broader goals of the organization.
- A growth mindset requires being willing to acknowledge what you do not know, take risks, learn from mistakes, and keep developing at every level of the organization.
- Effective feedback should be timely, transparent, and specific, with curiosity helping turn difficult conversations into opportunities for growth.
- Investing in employees can strengthen client service, organizational knowledge, and internal systems even if those employees eventually take their experience elsewhere.
About the Guest
Tayhlor Blackwell is a partner at REED, bringing more than a decade of strategic communications experience to the agency. In addition to delivering results for clients, she leads the agency's professional development program, working closely with team members to build personalized growth paths and fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture. Her leadership also includes shaping internal initiatives that recognize team achievements and strengthen the agency's sense of community.
Tayhlor began her career in music journalism after graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, covering Nashville's entertainment scene and interviewing industry icons including Dolly Parton. That foundation gives her a strong command of media relations and a deep understanding of Nashville's entertainment and business landscape. She is based in Unionville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, Stetson, and their son, Ames.
About the Hosts
Abbie Fink is president of HMA Public Relations in Phoenix, Arizona and a founding member of PRGN. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications, social media strategies, special event management, crisis communications, community relations, issues management, and marketing promotions for both the private and public sectors, including such industries as healthcare, financial services, professional services, government affairs and tribal affairs, as well as not-for-profit organizations.
Dr. Adrian McIntyre is a cultural anthropologist, media personality, speaker, and strategic communications consultant for PR agencies and marketing firms. He's lived in over 30 countries and spent more than a decade in the Middle East and Africa as a researcher, journalist, communications adviser, media spokesperson, and storytelling consultant. He earned a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a Fulbright scholar and National Science Foundation fellow. Adrian helps agency leaders strengthen their positioning, sharpen their messaging, boost their visibility, and win new clients by replacing impersonal, intrusive and ineffective marketing tactics with authentic human conversations.
Follow the Podcast
If you enjoyed this episode, please follow PRGN Presents in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other podcast app. We publish new episodes every other Thursday. To have them delivered automatically and free of charge, just choose your preferred podcast player from this list, open the app, and click the button to “Follow” the show: https://prgnpodcast.com/listen
Need to hire a PR firm?
Leading a business effectively in today's fast-paced world requires expert guidance and a strong communications strategy. No matter where you do business, PRGN has a member agency in your region with the deep industry expertise, international experience, and local market knowledge you need to connect with your target audience and achieve your goals. Find a PR firm near you »
