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You Already Know ... Teach Them
April 16, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. During my days as a wandering air personality moving from one opportunity to the next, I always needed a few days to learn the studio board at my new place of employment. I would place sticky notes on the board for things like microphone levels and what the different slide pods or buttons were connected to. Honestly, sometimes it took me a week or more to be able to do things without thinking about them. Because of my slow comprehension in these areas, when I began programming, I always put new hires on the air at times, which allowed them to learn how to operate the equipment at a pace suitable to their comprehension level
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The Natural
Everyone learns at their own pace and some people are blessed with the ability to do anything. There are situations in which the gifted have a hard time managing others. What comes naturally to some, is not so easy for others.
I Am Slow ...
During my days as a wandering air personality moving from one opportunity to the next, I always needed a few days to learn the studio board at my new place of employment. I would place sticky notes on the board for things like microphone levels and what the different slide pods or buttons were connected to. Honestly, sometimes it took me a week or more to be able to do things without thinking about them. Because of my slow comprehension in these areas, when I began programming, I always put new hires on the air at times, which allowed them to learn how to operate the equipment at a pace suitable to their comprehension level.
The Best I Ever Saw ...
Among all the air personalities I worked with, BJ Murphy blew me away with his ability to learn any board within one air shift. Over the years, he worked for me at three different stations and each time he learned in one sitting to operate the board as if he had worked there for years.
My Point ...
I have said all of this to lead into this week's question from a young man who is wise beyond his age. He shall remain nameless in order to keep the turmoil to a minimum at his place of employment.
Air Talent: Sam, I have an awesome cast for my morning show with great personal chemistry, but recently my number-two person took a new job to anchor her own show and I had to find a replacement. Not only did I have great on-air chemistry with the person who left, but she was also my producer and audio editor. Our show is very social media-conscious and every second is accounted for by each person on my team.
While looking for a replacement I found a young lady with talent and great energy, I pretty much vetted her in two days and got my OM to hire her for the show. However, she's having a hard time keeping up with the group. She sounds great with the one feature I have her doing, but I've had to cut back on her air time because she seems un-motivated.
Coach: Okay, I have a few questions before I can give you my opinion.
- How many stations has this person worked at?
- Has she ever done mornings before?
- Is this the first time she has worked on the air as a member of a cast?
- Specifically, what is the problem or problems?
Air Talent: She has worked at two other stations and did mornings at one as a fill-in host while someone was out sick for several months and one other time, she co-hosted with the PD. That job lasted for six months before she was fired. A friend of mine turned me on to her; she has got the sound, but the problem is that she is not contributing much to our show prep sessions and has taken a part-time job to pay off student loans. The part-time thing is taking time away from her focus.
Coach: It doesn't sound like she has had much experience, have you told her how you want her to prep? And what does your PD say about all of this?
Air Talent: I have told her to be observational and that prepping is all around her 24/7. My PD leaves the responsibilities of running my morning show to me. He encourages and makes some suggestions, but sort of leaves us on our own. Our ratings have been good, and Sales seems happy.
Coach: You sound like an exceptional talent who just happens to get what needs to be done. You seem to have the ability to prep by living with your eyes open. How many people are on your morning show and what is the average time for a talk set?
Air Talent: Including her, there are four people and we never go past a minute with any break we do.
Coach: In my opinion, you have one too many in the studio, but you said it worked with the previous member who left. If I were you, here's what I would do:
Stop assuming she knows how to show prep and start holding brief and casual one-on-one sessions with her. Tell her exactly how you want her to prep and that includes any reading materials, prep services, or online areas you would like her to look at. From what you've said, it sounds like she has not had many windows of opportunity to learn from or make mistakes.
Something else to consider: She is intimidated by the ghost of the previous person and at this point might be dealing with anxieties with her reduced role on the show. And you mentioned something about a second job; maybe she is having financial problems because of her student loans and that's part of her focus problem.
Air Talent: I've thought about some of all of what you have said.
Coach: Based on e-mails previously exchanged between us, you are an exceptional talent at a young age, but patience is not yet one of your virtues. You said she sounds great with the one feature; I think you and the cast need to give her with more detail on how to get things done. Be patient and let her grow into her role. However, just in case this situation does not correct itself in a reasonable amount of time, talk to your PD and both of you need to be ready with other options.
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