Personality

HOW WOULD YOU EXPLAIN YOUR PROFESSION TO A CHILD?

I help people tell a story that is important to them. You know the storyteller lady at the library? Well, I help them tell their stories really well so that everyone will listen and understand. You know, like when Mommy tells you something she wants you to remember. Sometimes she tells you more than once, right? Sometimes she tells you the story in different ways and at different times, doesn't she? I help people do that, too. The stores they tell are all true, so they want to do a really good job. I sometimes get to tell the stories myself. Storytelling is fun. I especially like getting to know the people we tell the stories to. They live in our town and in our state, and we do everything we can to get them to hear our stories. Sometimes they are too busy, like Mommy, but we keep on trying.

WHAT MOVIE CHARACTER WOULD YOU LIKE TO PORTRAY AND WHY?

It would have to be the Wicked Witch of the West in the "Wizard of Oz." I still remember the feeling of playing the witch in my fourth-grade production of "Hansel and Gretel." I enjoy dressing as a witch at Halloween when I get the chance. There's something about wearing a big black hat, a stringy black wig and cackling that really gets me going. It's so not the public relations persona and releases so much pent up energy.

WHICH WORD OR PHRASE DO YOU THINK IS OVERUSED RIGHT NOW?

That would have to be "at the end of the day." Maybe you know, but I certainly haven't figured it out. What day are we looking forward to? Is it when I go home tonight? Or is it, perhaps, the end of time? Personally, I think it stems from a lack of accountability, and then maybe it's because "the buck stops here" sounds unethical in the post-Enron era. We're all driven by deadlines, but who likes them? So, we'll come up with one that is perfectly meaningless, yet so commonplace that we all seem to accept it. Who knows? I guess that at the end of the day, everything will make sense, even this phrase.

WHAT HISTORICAL FIGURE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH AND WHY?

That would have to be Joan of Arc. You might wonder if I hear voices. Good question. Seriously, Joan had the courage of her convictions against all odds even death. Well, OK, maybe I'm not that courageous. But the truth is, I've had to face depleting blood supplies, piles of trash, wildfires, mudslides, interviews in languages I don't even understand much less speak, three days without sleep, hostile reporters and volunteers, and always dwindling resources and increasing needs--all in the name of communication. Why? It's got to be a deep, inescapable belief in something, doesn't it?

WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO LEARN THE HARD WAY?

In my previous position in the nonprofit world, I saw myself as a circus clown juggling dozens of balls, many of which were beyond my control, while swallowing a sword and trying to herd cats. What often got lost in all of the 10-hour days and sleepless nights was me. I was a stranger to the working-out craze, and peace of mind was but a dream. It took carpal tunnel syndrome and myriad other stress-related ailments to get me to see clearly. You bring your whole self to the communication profession and knowing when to walk out the door should be on top of your "to do" list. If it isn't, you'll drop more and more of those balls.

WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL MOTTO?

Don't stress the small stuff. Everything happens for a reason. When bad things happen, it's usually for a very good reason. Unfortunately, we don't usually find this out until later, but it's the way things work out in the end.

What's your personality? Download and complete our questionnaire at www.iabc.com/personality, and you could he featured in a future issue of CW.

JUDY IANNACCONE

Director, Communications, Rancho Santiago

Community College District

Santa Ana, Calif., USA

What's your personality? Download and complete our questionnaire at www.iabc.com/personality, and you could be featured in a future issue of CW.

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