A Bit of Optimism

The Value of Interruptions with Janis Burl

25 snips
Nov 22, 2022
In this engaging conversation, Janis Burl, a former TSA employee and creator of the agency's popular Instagram account, shares her unique journey through a non-linear career path. She discusses how humor and creativity can reshape perceptions of government agencies, making them more relatable. Janis emphasizes the importance of curiosity and being a generalist while navigating social media in public sectors. She also highlights the transformative power of interruptions and encourages embracing unexpected challenges as opportunities for growth and joy in work.
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ANECDOTE

TSA's Instagram Success

  • Simon Sinek admires the TSA's Instagram account, finding its humor and engagement surprising for a government agency.
  • Janis Burl, who led the team behind the account, shares their process of crafting pun-filled posts, spending hours to ensure they are both informative and inoffensive.
ANECDOTE

Unexpected Social Media Leader

  • Janis Burl, an "old black lady," challenges the assumption that young people exclusively understand social media.
  • Followers were often surprised by her identity, highlighting her effectiveness in engaging audiences.
ANECDOTE

From Binder to Social Media Maven

  • Janis Burl's social media career began unexpectedly when she took on a project at TSA.
  • Despite lacking formal training, she embraced the challenge, using sticky notes to track her learning and continuously researching and seeking advice.
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