Managing more seasoned journalists.

Here’s a situation I am asked about a lot. A young producer is put in charge of a newscast or shift and the seasoned veteran reporters and anchors seem to challenge the producer’s every decision.

I recently wrote an article about earning respect as a young journalist, which can help somewhat.  But let’s delve into more specifics on this scenario.

When a producer, especially a young producer, starts a new job or takes on a new newscast you must lay ground rules quickly.  How?  Sit down with the key players you will deal with each day, one-by-one.  Spell out what you plan to do to help that person in their job, and in turn what your expectation is for that person to best contribute to the team.  Emphasize team from the beginning.

This helps you nicely reiterate the person’s role and that you expect them to also lead by example.  Case in point:  A producer recently contacted me about a longtime anchor in a market who pitched a holy fit on the set.  (Apparently he did not read “Why Don’t You Show Us How It’s Done Then”).  How do you get that person to settle down?  First, know that the anger comes from somewhere.  So, let the person vent to you in a meeting.  Then ask the person to work with you to come up with a solution.  In other words, the person has to take partial responsibility for handling his/her own frustration.  You set up that you are willing to help, but that you are not the sole solution finder.  Then, after you two come up with a solution, reiterate to the anchor how crucial he/she is for building the team for your newscast and/or shift.  Then ask the person if you can call on him/her for help as you grow the team so everyone can get more satisfaction from their jobs.  This, again, nicely and professionally allows you to set your own expectations for the anchor.

If it is a reporter being difficult, you can handle the situation in much the same way.  Sit down and have a “clear the air” session.  Remember, these reporters often have a reason for being angry.  You owe it to the team to listen and try to help.  Talk through a solution together.  Then ask for the reporter’s help to be a role model as you build the team.  Most of the time the reporter:  a) wants to be appreciated b) wants validation that his/her opinion is even considered when decisions are made and c) wants to be part of the team, not just a warm body handed an assignment to execute each day.

Finally, keep in mind, that sometimes the biggest help for managing more seasoned veterans is time.  If you know what you are doing, and effectively perform your job each day, many of these sticklers end up becoming your biggest advocates.  They are just tired of “training” people and resent that management “seems to leave the newscast vulnerable.”  If you know your stuff, you will gain respect over time.  Be patient.  Listen.  Have reasons for the decisions you make.  It will work out.

 

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