Leadership Lessons with Myriam Khan, Head of Communications, Ground Transportation Systems, at Hitachi Rail

Having adaptability in communications, how inclusion fosters diversity, and why agency experience is second to none. We recently spoke with Myriam Khan, Head of Communications, Ground Transportation Systems (GTS) at Hitachi Rail about her progression into the industry, and her insights on some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in PR and comms.

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What drove you to forge a career in comms?

It was quite incidental. I always wanted to be an investigative journalist – I idolised Christiane Amanpour. Even at a young age I felt more articulate in written expression than verbal expression, so I did my undergraduate degree in professional writing and international politics,which gave me a good breadth of the discipline.

After I graduated, personal circumstances took me back to Qatar. I initially worked as a journalist which connected me with great PR and comms professionals. This really piqued my interest, and so I started to move in that direction and entered the corporate communications field. I was very fortunate that I quickly had exposure to senior experts, and the opportunity to work in a variety of sectors. I did everything from crisis communications for government clients to stakeholder management in sports and consumer engagement in fashion. When the time came to relocate to the UK, I felt equipped to progress quickly.

What personal attributes do you think have helped you succeed?

Resilience and having a strong work ethic. I’ve always been quick to adapt. I tend to reflect a lot, especially after facing challenging situations, to process things and help prepare myself for future obstacles. Striving for the best results for my clients and the organisations I work for, when in-house, is always at the heart of everything I do. 

What do you think are the key qualities needed from comms leaders now and in the coming years?

Being authentic. Being true to yourself as a comms leader or advisor doesn’t mean you always have the answers, but it does require you to ask the right questions, know how to research well, and where to find the right solutions. And all of that comes back to authenticity.

Being empathetic. Comms can be a relentless field. There are a lot of expectations placed on leaders, and understandably so, but tapping into your emotional intelligence and appreciating what they as individuals might be going through is important.

What skillsets do you think comms businesses will be looking for in the near future?

Adaptability, specifically in terms of learning how to leverage new technologies. And there are so many opportunities today to upskill – whether that’s learning how to make the most of AI, such as learning how to write good prompts to assess the impact of comms or create better visuals.

Looking beyond comms skills. In comms, the industry demands are always changing, and it’s never been more crucial for comms professionals to broaden their capabilities. A more thorough understanding of how the wider business works and make money, and new and creative ideas for how to grow and diversify the business model will be something comms agencies will (and should) be looking for. 

What do you think leaders can do to drive DEI within the workplace?

Ultimately, it’s about creating a culture from top down. The leaders who prioritise diversity within businesses – internally and externally – will succeed. Creating a more inclusive culture fosters diversity, so brands need to start from within.

The other thing to bear in mind is accountability. If you’re hiring diverse talent, are you holding yourself accountable to create the right environment for them to thrive? It’s really not that hard to acquire diverse talent, it’s how you retain them. And that starts with getting input directly from individuals who have that lived experience.

What advice would you give to young people looking for a career in comms?

Be curious and explore. Comms is about telling good, powerful stories that change something – how people think about or do something. So it’s naturally really hard to talk about things which you aren’t necessarily passionate about. You don’t need to work in a single industry and become so niche that you close yourself off from opportunities and growth, but if you’re really not tuned into the topic, the work will reflect that. Find the stories you want to tell, and start there. 

Personally, I believe agency experience is second to none. It will quickly and drastically expand your capabilities and practical knowledge.

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