An Interview With Chad Silverstein
Power to Perform: Powering yourself to perform is essential — just like an athlete who must constantly focus on their diet and training to win. If you’re not learning and growing, you risk becoming stagnant. Personal growth is the fuel that powers our performance, and that’s something I think about often. Staying sharp, seeking new knowledge, and challenging myself to evolve is what drives my success, both personally and professionally. It’s about making sure I’m always at the top of my game, ready to tackle whatever comes my way.
Growth is an essential part of life, both personally and professionally. Every day presents an opportunity to learn, evolve, and become better versions of ourselves. But how do we seize these opportunities? How do successful writers, leaders, and influencers ensure they are constantly growing and improving? What daily habits, practices, or mindsets contribute to their continual growth? In this interview series, we are talking to authors, leaders, influencers, and anyone who is an authority about “What We Can Do To Grow Every Day”. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Toni Harrison.
Welcome visionary public relations leader and CEO of Etched Communication, Toni Harrison, who utilizes a blend of diversity and inclusion and carefully crafted narratives as her strategy to authentically represent public-facing figures to elevate their brand stories to be uniquely impactful. Toni’s remarkable journey began when she spent fundamental years in the newsroom, where she learned about all things crisis management and integrated communication strategy.
At the catapult of her career, she took on brand management of political figures like Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, and corporations like PepsiCo and Polaris. Her can-do mindset and her daily dedication to stay curious for the ability to evolve pushed her to become a trusted award-winning public relations advisor, and spokesperson for major railroad company Union Pacific.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about what you do professionally, and what brought you to this specific career path?
I’m the CEO and founder of Etched Communication, a full-service public relations and crisis management firm. My career path has always centered on storytelling, and I’ve always been passionate about using communication to create meaningful impact. Early in my career, I realized the power of strategic messaging, especially when it comes to helping businesses and individuals navigate difficult moments. That’s what led me to start my own PR firm — helping clients tell their stories in ways that not only engage their audiences but also protect their reputations in times of crisis.
What does “Personal Growth” mean to you?
Personal growth, to me, is the continual process of self-reflection, learning, and transformation. It’s about pushing myself to evolve in meaningful ways, whether that’s gaining new skills, adopting fresh perspectives, or becoming more self-aware. Personal growth isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress and being open to change, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Why do you believe that it’s important to commit to growing every day?
Committing to growth every day is essential because it keeps us moving forward. The world around us is constantly changing, and if we don’t actively work on ourselves, we risk becoming stagnant. I’ve found that daily growth, even in small ways, helps me stay adaptable, resilient, and ready to face new challenges. It’s about building the muscle of continuous improvement and being intentional about becoming the best version of ourselves.
What are the key upsides for those who mindfully engage in a journey of personal evolution?
The upsides are endless. For one, personal growth makes us more self-aware, and with that awareness comes better decision-making, both personally and professionally. It also increases our resilience. When we embrace growth, we become more comfortable with change and uncertainty, which is critical in today’s fast-paced world. Personal evolution also deepens our relationships. As we grow, we develop more empathy and understanding, which improves how we connect with others.
When we stop evolving in intentional ways, what do you think are the biggest downsides?
When we stop evolving, we run the risk of getting stuck in outdated patterns of thinking or behaving. We can become complacent, which limits our ability to adapt to new circumstances or seize new opportunities. There’s also a danger of losing our sense of purpose — without growth, life can feel stagnant and unfulfilling. The biggest downside is that we might miss out on discovering our full potential and what we’re truly capable of achieving.
What specific practices, if any, do you have in place to ensure that you don’t become stagnant in life?
I’m intentional about carving out time for reflection and self-care. Whether it’s through journaling, meditation, or taking walks, these moments of reflection help me stay connected to my goals and values. I’m also committed to learning something new regularly, whether it’s reading books, attending industry seminars, or simply staying curious about the world around me. Lastly, I surround myself with people who inspire and challenge me, both professionally and personally. They hold me accountable to my growth.
Is there any particular area of your life where you are most committed to growth (e.g., spiritually, professionally, socially, internally, relationally)?
Professionally, I’m always striving to grow because the PR industry is constantly evolving, and it’s essential to stay ahead of trends and technologies. But personally, I’ve been very committed to growing internally and relationally. Developing emotional intelligence and improving my ability to connect deeply with others has had a profound impact on both my personal relationships and my leadership style.
If you could offer five tips to readers on how to stimulate and perpetuate self-growth, what would they be?
- Embrace Discomfort: Growth rarely happens in our comfort zones. Be willing to step into unfamiliar territory. Early in my career, taking on a leadership role felt daunting, but pushing myself to do it accelerated my growth.
- Commit to Lifelong Learning: Make learning a daily habit. Whether through reading or listening to podcasts, there’s always something new to discover. For me, staying curious about new PR techniques has kept my business innovative.
- Reflect Regularly: Take time to check in with yourself. Journaling has been a powerful tool for me in identifying patterns and recognizing habits where I can improve.
- Power to Perform: Powering yourself to perform is essential — just like an athlete who must constantly focus on their diet and training to win. If you’re not learning and growing, you risk becoming stagnant. Personal growth is the fuel that powers our performance, and that’s something I think about often. Staying sharp, seeking new knowledge, and challenging myself to evolve is what drives my success, both personally and professionally. It’s about making sure I’m always at the top of my game, ready to tackle whatever comes my way.
- Growth Doesn’t Happen Overnight: Break your goals into smaller steps and celebrate the progress along the way. This makes the journey feel more achievable and rewarding.
- Surround Yourself with Growth-Minded People: Your circle matters. I’ve always been intentional about building relationships with people who inspire me and challenge me to be better. Their perspectives often open new doors for growth.
What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck and unsure of how to start their personal growth journey?
Start small and focus on one area of your life where you want to see improvement. Don’t overwhelm yourself with trying to do everything at once. Take a few minutes each day to take stock on what’s working and what isn’t, and set small, achievable goals. Remember that growth is a journey, so be patient with yourself. Stay open to change and stay curious.
Are there any books, podcasts, or other resources that have significantly contributed to your personal growth?
Yes, a few stand out. “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle has been incredibly influential in helping me stay present and focused on what matters most. In terms of podcasts, “How I Built This” by Guy Raz offers invaluable insights from entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges, which has been a great source of inspiration for me. I also find value in Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability and leadership — it’s reshaped how I approach both personal and professional relationships.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would start a movement that promotes learning and enrichment in the workplace. If we all expressed interest in specific topics as part of professional enrichment while at work, we’d see a tremendous shift not just in productivity but also in workplace culture and satisfaction. Encouraging businesses to invest in their employees’ career learning interests would have a ripple effect that benefits individuals, organizations, and communities.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow my work through Etched Communication’s website and social media platforms. We regularly share insights on PR, crisis management, and leadership. You can also connect with me personally on LinkedIn, where I frequently post about leadership strategies and industry trends.
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein, a seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience as the Founder and CEO of multiple companies. He launched Choice Recovery, Inc., a healthcare collection agency, while going to The Ohio State University, His team earned national recognition, twice being ranked as the #1 business to work for in Central Ohio. In 2018, Chad launched [re]start, a career development platform connecting thousands of individuals in collections with meaningful employment opportunities, He sold Choice Recovery on his 25th anniversary and in 2023, sold the majority interest in [re]start so he can focus his transition to Built to Lead as an Executive Leadership Coach. Learn more at www.chadsilverstein.com
Growing Every Day: Toni Harrison Of Etched Communication On What We Can Do To Grow Every Day was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.