Managing stress in public relations with Integrated Leadership Systems’ M.J. Clark

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In this episode, M.J. Clark joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how PR pros can manage stress and thrive under pressure by adopting better leadership practices.

Tune in to learn more!

Our Guest:

Our episode guest is M.J. Clark, vice president at Integrated Leadership Systems. With more than 15 years of experience as an executive coach and leadership consultant, she specializes in helping professionals in high-stress industries like PR thrive under pressure. M.J. supports executives in strengthening communication, setting boundaries, and building emotional intelligence. She’s the author of Leading Through Listening and other books on assertive leadership and workplace wellness.

Five things you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why PR is among the most stressful careers and what you can do about it

2. The five ways people typically respond to stress and how to identify your style

3. Ways to manage stress before it leads to burnout

4. How tools like journaling, affirmations, and body language influence emotional control

5. How assertiveness and boundary-setting help PR pros manage clients 

Quotables

"You don’t realize how much stress you’re taking on when you’re not sharing your thoughts and feelings." — @MJ Clark

"PR is high-pressure by nature, but burnout isn’t inevitable." — @MJ Clark

"Being a trusted adviser means showing up clearly, confidently, and consistently." — @JasonMudd9

"When we reframe our thoughts, we reshape how we lead and respond under pressure." — @MJ Clark

"Assertiveness isn’t confrontation. It’s clarity with compassion." — @MJ Clark

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About M.J. Clark

M.J. Clark is the vice president at Integrated Leadership Systems, where she serves as an executive coach, leadership consultant, and trainer. With over 15 years of experience, she helps professionals and organizations manage stress, improve communication, and develop stronger leadership skills. M.J. specializes in guiding executives through high-pressure situations, teaching them how to set boundaries, build emotional intelligence, and communicate with clarity and confidence.

She holds a master’s degree in organizational communication from The Ohio State University and authored three books, including “Leading Through Listening.” Her work blends research-based strategies with real-world applications, making her a sought-after speaker and coach across industries. M.J.’s mission is to help leaders thrive under pressure while fostering healthier workplace cultures through assertiveness, trust, and self-awareness.

Guest’s contact info and resources:

M.J. Clark on LinkedIn

Integrated Leadership System website

Support the show

• On Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.
• On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.