Pivot Points: Five Decisions Every Successful Leader Must Make

Chapter 5CULTURE: Al Golin, Founder and Chairman of GolinHarris

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW HIM AND ABOUT HIS WORK

Al Golin, founder of GolinHarris, is recognized by PRWeek as one of the 100 most influential public relations people of the twentieth century. The GolinHarris of 2014 is a global public relations (PR) firm with 45 offices around the world and a client roster of blue-chip companies. Named large agency of the year by PRWeek in 2007 and 2010, GolinHarris was recognized for creativity, innovation, financial growth, and a reputation as one of the best agencies to work for in the industry. It won the Holmes Report 2013 Large Agency of the Year in the Americas, 2011 Best Large Agency to Work For, and the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For.

One of the founding fathers of PR, Al wrote the book—figuratively and literally—on PR as an opportunity to gain the public trust. In 2005, the master of reputation management published a book, Trust or Consequences: Build Trust Today or Lose Your Market Tomorrow, to bring attention to “the most valuable asset anyone and any company can build.” With case studies of how trust is won and lost, the book defines Al Golin’s brand of PR and leadership: Never take people’s trust for granted or knowingly risk losing it. Accepting an honorary PhD from DePaul University in 2012, Al told graduates of the College of Communication, “There is a positive connection between trust and results. It’s not necessarily a short-term connection but one that ...