Today I want to call attention to a post by someone else: Are You Mad at Me? by Adam Bryant. It underscores how closely a newsroom watches the editor (or any workplace watches the boss):
I learned a memorable lesson that day about how people can read so much into subtle, and often unintended, cues.
I’ve blogged earlier in this series about the editor’s example and about role models. I’ll have a full post later in the week, but this link certainly fits well in my series on advice for editors.
[…] all of the above rolling around in my head, this morning Steve Buttry pointed to a column about a parallel situation of basic psychology. In the column Are you mad at me? Adam Bryant talks […]
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I love Bryant’s piece and it’s dead-on. It’s true all the time, but especially during stressful times in the newsroom. During one period in a newsroom where I worked years ago, layoffs were on the way, and it practically got to the point of, people saying to me, “[Managing editor] said ‘hello’ this morning. WHAT DID HE MEAN BY THAT?”
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I have mixed feelings about Adam Bryant’s post. I think he is correct that people will look to a leader for guidance and watch his or her every move.
I have severe misgivings, however, about “picking a face.”
I have a difficult enough time interpreting nonverbal cues from facial expressions and body languages without their being compounded by an unnaturally blank expression. A furrowed brow is less ambiguous even if my conclusion is wrong.
Your carefully neutral expression will more likely give off the scary face-vibe and then I’ll really wonder if you’re angry at me.
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Good point, Cynthia.
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Reblogged this on Chumba cha Habari and commented:
Recommended read for all news editors everywhere.
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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[…] Your newsroom is watching […]
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