My sister is three years older than me. Growing up, I learned a lot from her examples. Yell at my parents? Don’t do that. Punch a hole in a cabinet in a fit of anger? Don’t do that. Stay out all night? Especially don’t do that.
We can learn from bad examples as much as we can from good ones. Sometimes more. The same is true inside radio and TV stations. With that in mind, here are 8 good lessons I learned from bad bosses.
1. Be equals
Great leaders don’t elevate themselves above the people they are trying to lead.
2. Be accessible
Reply promptly to correspondence from employees. Often, the information they are seeking from you is going to help them do their job better.
3. Be organized
Many program and news directors get so bogged down with the administrative responsibilities of their positions that they neglect their talent. It’s stunning how much more time you can create in a day be being organized and having a plan.
4. Be professional
The market manager for the radio cluster where I once worked peppered monthly staff meetings with F-bombs. It was the wrong example to be coming from the head of our organization.
5. Be honest
If you aren’t satisfied with an employee’s job performance, or if they have no shot at the promotion they are seeking, tell them. The truth will sting but they’ll appreciate knowing where they need to improve.
6. Trust your employees
You hired these folks for a reason. Let them to do their jobs without micromanaging.
7. Stay positive
The attitude your present is going to influence the entire station, for better or for worse.
8. Follow through
Do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it.
What lessons have you learned from bad bosses? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter.
1 Comment. Leave new
I enjoyed reading your post Jon. All of the pointers you mentioned, they’re all right. A bad boss can make or break you but that will all depend on how you deal with the situation.
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