April 13, 2006

By JIM TODD
Richmond (Ky.) Register

Jim Todd

If you can't give your newsroom's atmosphere and attitude high marks, chances are you're heading for trouble or already suffering the consequences.

In nearly 40 years of working in daily newsrooms, ranging in circulation from about 7,000 to more than 40,000, I've seen many different atmospheres in editorial departments as a whole and in the individual attitudes of employees.

Like a wound, absolutely anything out of kilter in a newsroom needs attending.

Often, experienced newspaper people do a lot of talking about how difficult, time-consuming and frustrating this business can be but that we are doing something rewarding and important.

But what many editors don't know is how to manage people and newsrooms, how to create an environment exciting enough for everyone to enjoy coming to work every day, and doing their best work individually and as a team.

Like many others, I have had some smart bosses who did not have a clue about how to handle people. It reminds me of parents raising their children the way they were raised – and sometimes, that's not very well – because they didn't know any better.

But just like wanting to be better parents, we need to want to be better leaders and managers. All of us can change, and must change, to keep the attitudes of our employees and the atmospheres of our newsrooms from souring.

It certainly is easier if you have a publisher who encourages this management style, but you can do it on your own if you work at it daily.

Like a good casserole, there are several ingredients involved. Here are some I have found that work and not only help your employees and your newspaper, but make you feel better about yourself and what you are doing for your readers and your community:

• Honesty: Never lie to an employee. You will get caught eventually. If you think you can keep secrets, especially if they are not true, in a newsroom, think again! If your employees are not inquisitive, if not downright nosy, they would be doing something else for a living.

• Humility: Always admit to employees when you are wrong or when their ideas are better than yours. They were hired for their talents and their brains! Just because it's your idea doesn't make it the best.

• Accolades: Don't be shy about praising good work, in private or in front of others, but always counsel one on one. A pat on the back goes a long way. When you have a chance to praise a group of your employees or all of them, don't ever miss that chance. Put it on your newsroom bulletin board. Call them together to congratulate them. Buy them doughnuts or lunch. You know they all love to eat.

• Editor's bonuses: If food doesn't get them, cash will. When someone goes above and beyond, I call them in, hand them a sealed envelope with a thank you note and a $50 check from my personal checkbook, and tell them not to open it until they are away from the building. They are always surprised and very grateful. In the past year, my hard-working team has cost me a bunch, but they are worth it!

• Fun: All work and no play is not the way to go. You can easily have a hard-working crew and throw in some fun at the same time. You can have fun and laugh at the office and away from it. Many times, these people end up being some of your closest friends because you spend as much time with them as you do your family.

• Teach, don't preach: You probably have more experience than most people on your staff. Having patience and taking the time to teach are invaluable virtues. All of my reporters are young. Whenever possible, they have to stand behind me and watch as I edit their stories. It doesn't have to be painful. In fact, it can be fun and funny. Laugh at yourselves while you are getting it right and teaching at the same time.

• Teamwork: Being a team player and a team builder takes a lot of work but is always worth it. When I interviewed for my present job, the former publisher asked what I did best. I said I build teams. I don't know how enthused she was by my answer, but it was honest. After accepting the job two years ago, I told my editorial employees that we could become a good, if not great, team if we decided to make that our goal and work for it. In January, we were named the best daily newspaper in the state (circulation 10,000 and less) by the Kentucky Press Association.

I talk the most about teamwork because I think it is the most important. It's amazing what a team can do that a group of individuals working and acting individually cannot. That feeling of camaraderie and accomplishing something great together is something that is shared forever.

There's nothing better than that.