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End of an Era

We may have finally said goodbye to an “old-school” era of journalism with the recent death of 60 Minutes star interviewer Mike Wallace. His trademark techniques of straight-on questioning and sometimes-skeptical debating could be seen as confrontational at times. He might have been nosy and insistent, but he always got to the heart of the matter, and he left us to draw our own conclusions. Wallace didn’t have to say it; he let his subjects say it.

Having entered television news in an earlier time, I was taught to hold sacred certain tenets of journalism, ones espoused by Wallace and others of his time: be objective, don’t sensationalize, and don’t interject one’s own opinions into the news. It seems younger journalists, especially those on television, are not necessarily well-schooled in those ideas – in fact, many have rejected them outright.

Within the last couple of decades, we have entered an age of sensational, scandal-driven and opinion-oriented news reporting, one that is meant to color our views and our opinions. In other words, we are told what to think. Am I the only one who believes it may not necessarily represent a change for the better?

Rest in peace, Mike Wallace.

Just Do It

None other than Mr. Born in the U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen delivered the keynote speech at the South by Southwest Music Conference (Austin, Texas) on March 15.  During his noon hour speech, he joked that “every decent musician is still asleep,” and talked of his myriad influences, from early doo-wop to Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and James Brown.  The point of his lesson struck home for me, as he encouraged all of the thousands of acts at SXSW to follow their influences and their gut.   In standing up for rap, electronic and other genres not based around guitar,  Springsteen said, “There is no right way or no pure way to do it.  There’s just doing it.”

I am often asked by other writers what I think of their idea, their script, their genre.  Like music, the book publishing world is changing – fast.  The traditional model has been stressed by the advent of e-publishing and self-publishing and other initiatives.  So I find myself a bit torn between two worlds:  I like being considered a veteran in television news and an old pro as a speaker and seminar leader, but I am a relatively recent entry into the world of book publishing.  Don’t worry about how it will be received.  Follow Springsteen’s advice:  “Just do it.”

March 16, 2012

Influence and Mentoring

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to define influence, leadership and mentoring.  Not surprising, I guess, because I received a couple of retirement announcements recently – both from people who have wielded a lot of influence in my professional life.

Sharon Yoder, Vice President of Seminar Operations at National Seminars Group in Kansas City, is retiring after over 25 years in the seminar business.  I admire and respect her personally, along with her sense of vision, and her unfailing respect for each and every speaker who contracts and contracted with N.S.G.  Thank you for your leadership!

Milt “Beaver” Adams, age 83, is “retiring” (though he still spends a lot of time there!) from Beaver’s Pond Press in Edina, Minnesota.  He and his team mentored me to the publication of my book DEAD AIR.  Seeing unmet needs, Adams is credited with founding the “mentoring press model” of publishing.  He offered good writers other options to get past what he calls the “gatekeepers” in the highly competitive New York publishing industry.  Thank you for your vision!

I am reminded of the late Steve Rollison, whom I still consider one of the best bosses I ever had, and who mentored me early in my television career.  He listened, he exhorted, he coached and helped me (and many others) blossom in our respective fields.

Yoder, Adams, and Rollison all offered wonderful gifts, at different times and in different places, yet they all had one thing in common.  They all knew the importance of building and empowering the people working with them.  They were willing to listen and build consensus, they were willing to share their vision, and they were willing to share the spotlight – thus making way for another generation of leaders.

February 8, 2012

RIP Don Harman

My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and professional colleagues of Kansas City’s FOX4 meteorologist Don Harman, who passed away Tuesday, November 29.  Don, a much-loved morning television personality, had been on the air for more than ten years in Kansas City.

Don is also remembered at KIMT in Mason City, where he was a professional colleague of Jodi Huisentruit during her tenure there.  As the morning meteorologist, he worked alongside Jodi on ”Daybreak,” and was one of the staffers who spoke out about her disappearance in 1995.

I am shocked and saddened to learn of his passing.   May he rest in peace.

An Attitude of Gratitude

I am no particular fan of Black Friday.  Let’s face it – I’d rather sleep late and eat leftover pie for breakfast than storm the big box stores at the break of dawn!  But I do question the motivations of the young man and his fellow petition-signers who protested Target’s midnight opening on Thanksgiving evening.  In our 24/7/365 service-driven economy, it’s not just retail workers who have to hold up their end of the bargain to put in the hours on Thanksgiving (or any other holiday, for that matter).  Consider police, firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel, health care workers in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices.  Consider U.S. service men and women around the world.  Consider the media:  television, radio, and newspaper reporters.  After all, the show must go one, no matter what the day.  I’ve put in my share of holiday time over the years, and my heart doesn’t bleed for retail workers more than for any of the others.

But that’s not the point.  Giving thanks is.  It’s great to claim a day once a year for Thanksgiving, but giving thanks is something we should be doing 24/7/365, anyway, whether we’re working or idle.  Do your job and be thankful for having a job to do.  Give thanks for the opportunity to help others and be of service.  Give thanks for what you can do, instead of what you can’t.  It sure beats focusing on the lack in our lives, and fosters an attitude of gratitude that lasts all year.