One of the most powerful ways in which you can contribute significant strategic value as a communicator is by making it a practice to connect the dots around you.
Connecting the dots is about cultivating the habit of seeing the inter-connections between issues, information and trends which may otherwise seem unrelated on the surface. This mindset is about having the savvy to see that what might appear to be a public relations issue really has its roots as an internal change management challenge, for example.
The most successful, sophisticated communications strategists I know have honed this ability, and eventually develop it as instinct. They look at complex issues and situations taking place in a dynamic public environment in a holistic, integrated fashion. This enables them to identify patterns, flag potential areas of risk, and point to creative avenues for progress in maximizing opportunities for positive impact or profile.