Butch Ward of Poynter wrote an excellent post posing an important question for editors to ask the journalists who work for you: What do you want to be someday?
Butch, one of the best teachers in the news business, said the question we’re often asked as kids — what do you want to be when you grow up? — remains an important question throughout our careers:
Good managers understand that dreams and ambitions don’t die once we land in the workplace. In fact, they know that taking an interest in their staff’s future can help build strong working relationships with them. Once I believe that you really care what I want to be someday, I’m much more likely to trust your advice, respond to your suggestions and take an interest in your needs.
I highly recommend Butch’s post and make it part of my series on advice for new Digital First editors.
Earlier posts with advice for editors
Adapt leadership style to your staff and your challenges
Work and hire to reflect your community’s diversity
Lead your staff in learning data skills
Handle firings with honesty and compassion
Tips for interviewing job candidates
Check a job candidate’s digital profile
Hiring is an opportunity to upgrade your newsroom
Time is precious; manage it carefully
The digital audience values quality photos
Lead your newsroom in pursuing mobile opportunities
Blog about your newsroom’s transformation
You’re a role model; be a good one, like Dave Witke
Do what you say you’ll do — by being organized
Lead and stimulate discussions of ethics
Stand for accuracy and accountability
Deliver criticism with a challenge
How do your daily budgets reflect multi-platform planning needs?
What new beats would help newsrooms cover local news better?
Why editors should be active on Twitter
The Buttry version of social media best practices for editors
How the crowd can save your career
Leading your staff into the Twitterverse
Mentors don’t always see their seeds blossom
Upcoming topics
Here are topics I am planning on covering in this series (the order is uncertain). What other topics should I cover?
- Developing new leaders
- Teamwork
- Fun
This concept should apply to anyone who leads. I know I’m going to ask players at soccer practice tonight what they want to be, and, as their coach, I will adjust my means of coaching with that in mind.
I’ve been out of newsrooms for more than 10 years, and there weren’t many leaders I worked for who would have thought to ask such a thing, unfortunately.
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Reblogged this on SoshiTech.
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[…] Ask staff about their aspirations […]
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[…] Ask staff about their aspirations […]
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[…] Ask staff about their aspirations […]
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[…] Ask staff about their aspirations […]
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[…] Ask staff about their aspirations […]
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[…] Ask staff about their aspirations […]
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[…] Ask staff about their aspirations […]
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