We recently connected with Ron Roecker and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ron thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

“If it feels weird, it is weird.” The head of our security team for the GRAMMY Awards, Bob Schlessinger, would always give this as his most important piece of advice. It did not matter if you were head of Communications, a talent escort, part of the crew or a volunteer. When it came to preparing and empowering everyone who was part of an event that had as many variables and moving parts as the GRAMMY Awards, those seven words were incredibly empowering.

“If it FEELS weird, it is weird” was a game-changer for me both professionally and personally. How? As a kid with a never-ending imagination and overflowing pool of inspiration, I somehow learned early on that “emotions were bad” and “being too emotional” was unacceptable. For a long time, every time I felt something in my gut, I would dismiss it because I thought that was me being “too emotional.” They did not call it a “gut fact,” after all.

As I got older and learned to trust my gut more, I realized what it was about the gut that made it such an important tool:
Our gut has the ability, for any given situation, to quickly gather all our experiences, knowledge, life learnings that are relevant to that instance and evaluate it through that filtered lens.

Ron, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Brand Marketing, Entertainment PR and Creative Strategist. Storyteller. Problem-Solver. Executive Coach. Keynote Speaker. Amazon Best-Selling Author.

I have worked with some of the biggest celebrities and influencers and most iconic brands, pop culture events and initiatives in the world, including GRAMMY-winners Pink, Kelly Clarkson, Justin Timberlake, the GRAMMY Awards, NBA All-Star Weekend, Live Earth/Live Earth India, Microsoft XBox360, Barbie, Playing for Change Foundation and more.

I help indie artists, marketing agencies, non-profits and entrepreneurs develop their brands and pave their path of purpose. I also offer Creative Director services and executive training, including public speaking, media and content creator interviews and . development, creative ideation, and to become and dand leverage entertainment properties and celebrities

Any advice for managing a team?

When team members have a defined role and understand the value of that role within the bigger picture, they become more invested and engaged. Foster an environment where taking risks is encouraged and safe. Be transparent. Understand that everyone handles praise, constructive criticism and stress differently. Understand that just because someone does something a different way than you do, does not mean they are wrong. So thank you and please. The old school thinking of “I don’t need to thank someone for doing his/her job” is out of touch. Show your appreciation. Know they are human beings and have lives outside of work. Trust them. Lead by example. If you make a mistake, own it. They’ll respect you far more. Lastly, prioritize all of your decisions based 1) on human beings and 2) revenue.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Existing clients and Former clients. I always try to stay in touch with anyone I work with — even if we’re only doing a one-off project. When I reach out, I usually will do so with a piece of research that might be helpful to them or some sort of insights. It reminds them the value I bring, and it gives me a legitimate reason to reach out.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: rontouragela
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnfluenceGroup/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronroecker/