It Started With Wolves
Curiosity, exploration, and relentless pursuit of excellence
In the bustling world of communication, where noise often reigns supreme, there exists a quiet force, a subtle gifted professional and communicator who weaves intricate webs of understanding amid the chaos.
Meet Terri Ellman, whose journey through the realms of curiosity, exploration, and relentless pursuit of excellence has shaped her into a source of inspiration for communicators across the globe.
Terri's story isn't just about climbing corporate ladders or accumulating accolades; it's a testament to the power of curiosity and the unwavering dedication to continuous growth.
Growing up in Minnesota, Terri headed north to the Boundary Waters as much as possible. She found herself drawn to the enigmatic creatures that roamed freely in their untamed world.
Little did she know that her fascination with wolves would serve as the cornerstone for her journey into the communication profession.
"I've always been innately driven to learn," Terri reflects. "We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, so my parents needed to be more focused on paying bills than promoting education. But I craved more. I wanted to know more, to do more."
It was this insatiable hunger for knowledge that propelled Terri to become the first in her family to attend university. With a degree in communication and broadcast journalism in hand, she embarked on a journey that would see her traverse continents, immerse herself in diverse cultures, and hone her craft in ways she never imagined.
Terri’s career, spanning two decades, has been nothing short of diverse, taking her from radio newsrooms to baking segments on live television, from media relations to social media strategies, and everything in between. But what truly sets her apart is her inherent ability to transform tactical roles into strategic endeavors, question the status quo, and relentlessly pursue excellence.
Gifted awareness
Is this true for you? Because you are a deep thinker, highly intuitive, creative, analytical, and curious, you bring a particularly complex dimension to professional relationships?
Terri: I’m never satisfied doing something just because it’s the way it’s always been done. I want to understand why and if it’s effective. If it’s not, I am driven to make it better.
Interviewer: Terri’s unwavering commitment to excellence hasn't always been met with unanimous applause. Her probing questions and relentless pursuit of improvement have, at times, been misconstrued as negativity or pushiness – an experience often shared by many gifted professionals and communicators who are willing to rock the boat to get things done. But those who truly understand her, they see beyond the surface and recognize the depth of her dedication.
Terri: Eventually, people understand I dig deep into anything I’m doing and read everything I can find about a topic because I simply want us to do the best work we can.
Professionalism focus
Did you become a professional on purpose or did your career path open a door into the profession you identify with today?
Terri: I grew up in a home with a lot of love and support but without a lot of money. So making ends meet was a priority. There wasn’t a lot of focus on education other than we shouldn’t be truant.
A couple of my favorite university professors recently told me that, before their retirement, they shared my story often in their journalism classes. They said my biography would be titled, ‘It Started with Wolves.’
That’s because one of my first passions was wolves. I grew up in Minnesota, which has the largest wolf population in the lower 48 states of the US. We vacationed in the protected wilderness of northern Minnesota where wolves thrived. And I did a university internship up there teaching tourists about wolves at the International Wolf Center. That’s also where I started my communication career after a short stint in radio news.
My degree is in communication and broadcast journalism. Not having guidance from anyone with university experience I had no idea what to major in. But I had been on the speech team throughout high school, and I worked at a radio station for a couple of years in high school and into university. So, I went with communication and broadcasting.
It’s fortunate for me that working in the communication industry has worked out. This has been my career now for 20 years and I’ve done pretty much everything within the profession – media relations, social media, marketing communication, event planning, stakeholder engagement, internal communication, and all the strategy, tactics, and content development that goes across the lot.
Communication focus
Which of your communication skills do you seem to work on constantly – always learning, always evolving?
Terri: Everything! As my professors noted, it started with wolves. But it didn’t end there.
I followed my passion for baking to America’s oldest flour company, located in Vermont, where I got to pitch to the media and even get in front of the camera myself for some live baking segments on news stations across the US. Wanting to provide the best and most ethical PR support for the company, I earned my accreditation in Public Relations (APR) while there.
My thirst for adventure then swept me across the world to New Zealand. At first, I felt incredibly insecure about writing, a key component of communication, because the English was so different. I focused on learning how to write (and speak) like a Kiwi. Good thing I love words and language. After 10 years, I think I’m mostly there. However I still sometimes need to ask if certain expressions are used here. My American accent also persists.
Writing is an area where I was often told I was gifted, but never believed it. Into my forties now, I’ve finally stopped doubting my abilities (mostly). That doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying to get better. Never!
Words to live and laugh by
The power of quotes and rhetoric is part of a gifted person’s thinking. In her pursuit of excellence, Terri draws inspiration from a myriad of sources, from poignant quotes to stirring tales of resilience. Among her favorites are words of wisdom from Eleanor Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and John Muir, each serving as a guiding light in her journey:
“Be amazing at what amazes you.” – Skye Hardwick
“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
"… [T]hrow off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." – Mark Twain
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." - John Muir
But perhaps the most profound revelation for Terri came from reading Susan Cain's seminal work, "Quiet." In a world where extroversion often takes center stage, Cain's exploration of introversion resonated deeply with Terri, reaffirming her belief in the power of quiet perseverance.
The description on the back of the book reads, “For far too long those who are naturally quiet, serious, or sensitive have been overlooked. The loudest have taken over – even if they have nothing to say. It’s time for everyone to listen. It’s time to harness the power of introverts. It’s time for Quiet.”
As Terri continues to carve her path in the world of communication, her story serves as a reminder of the transformative power of curiosity, dedication, and quiet resilience. In a world inundated with noise, her voice echoes softly but resolutely, a testament to the enduring brilliance of the gifted professional and communicator.
We are on a mission to find and feature professionals who initiate meaningful conversations with other gifted minds and storytellers–and who they serve. They connect regularly through this blog, our newsletter, and their emails to nurture and support the network that enriches them. See if their words and actions work for you or engage directly by sending a comment and sharing your insights.
If you are curious about how sensitive, creative, intense, multipotential, professional, ethical, expressive, and clear you are about your intentions, wants, and needs, go here to check your GPC Score.
Learn more about Gifted Professionals and Communicators via:
👉 Our Community
👉 Our LinkedIn page
👉 Our blog (GPC Journal)
Why is it that people are afraid of questions?