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A Promise Is A Promise ... Unless
July 23, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Our actions can affect more than just us; you lose credibility if you break promises. In life our word is all we have. No one is too big or "too important" in the music or radio business to break a promise without an explanation of what happened; especially when it concerns an event planned far in advance. Think of others and not just yourself; a promise is a promise
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The word promise is defined as a declaration or assurance that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something -- undertake or declare that something will happen. I learned earlier in my career that no matter how impressive someones credentials are, they're as capable of misleading or lying as anyone else.
They Said "It's a Deal ... But
Years ago, a prospective employer flew me into a town and offered me a job. I was told everything was set and if I had any other questions to call on Monday. Well, after celebrating over the weekend, I called and asked a question concerning moving expenses. We hadn't discussed whether the company would be covering the costs completely or partially. I pointed out that regardless, I would be there and just needed a start date. They promised to call me back with the answer to my question.
That's Odd ...
I waited for a couple of days and no phone call. The owner had given me his home number and his direct office line, I had spoken to him on both before. I tried to call him but both numbers had been changed. I then found out they had given the job to someone else. Talk about being bummed out; not only did they renege on a handshake agreement, but I was never reimbursed for the plane ticket as promised. I still have the cleared check that paid for the trip. I used to run into the owner at conferences and he could not look me in the eye. To this day, I still don't know what happened.
This week's column is about the potential consequences of a broken promise. I had a conversation with a tour manager on the road with an artist visiting stations.
Tour Manager: Recently I was out on a promo tour with an artist visiting radio stations and things were going fine until the artist came close to giving me a heart attack by trying to back out of an interview I had set up with a big station.
Coach: What artist and what station?
Tour Manager:Major-market big, I can't say, it could cost me future promotional tour opportunities. I do this independently.
Coach: I understand, not that it makes a difference, but can you tell me what music format?
Tour Manager: No, sorry, nice try.
Coach: Okay, how can I help?
Tour Manager: This kid seems to get it one minute and not the next; things seem to go in one ear and out the other. I have had a lot of experience with promotional tours, but this artist bothers me on a level I've never experienced.
Coach: How so?
Tour Manager: He's a person who seems okay on the surface, but he makes me uneasy. It's not a drug or an alcohol thing, I can't put my finger on it. But last month he almost cost me an industry relationship because my contact nearly lost his job over him backing out the interview he had promoted on-air for over a week. We had several commitments that day, but this was one was at noon. The artist was not sick or had company in his room, or at least as far as I know. I am sitting out front of the hotel and I get a call from his manager in New York saying the kid did not want to do the interview. We were already running late, and I had just talked with the artist prior to his manager calling me.
Coach: And the artist could not tell you himself? Was this the first time you had been out on the road with him?
Tour Manager: Nope, it made no sense to me. I had to call my station contact and stall, because he had gone out on the limb to get this whole thing set up. It was not just an interview; it involved the station's digital platforms, social media, and the PD was coming in from vacation to do lunch with this artist as a special favor. It was about to be a mess when suddenly I got another call from his manager and suddenly things were fine, what the hell could have changed things so fast? I am a pro and deal with a lot of crap, but this artist throws me off my "fix any situation" game.
Coach: Maybe he reminds you of someone or triggered an industry flashback to something that happened to you or around you?
Tour Manager: My ability to last this long in the business has been based on reading people and this guy is like a blank sheet of paper, I get no read on him and I have to work twice as hard to try and anticipate his actions. I tell you, I am exhausted and emotionally drained. Up until this, "Yes, I will, now I won't, now I will" episode, I thought I had broken a barrier with him, but obviously not. I later tried to explain to him how bad it could have been he had broken the promise of doing the station interview. There is a real disconnect and I am afraid if I go out on the road with him again, it could cost me my reputation. What do you think?
Coach: I suggest you trust your instincts, have a conversation with his manager and politely beg off any future road work with this artist.
Keep Your Word ... It's Not Just You
Our actions can affect more than just us; you lose credibility if you break promises. In life our word is all we have. No one is too big or "too important" in the music or radio business to break a promise without an explanation of what happened; especially when it concerns an event planned far in advance. Think of others and not just yourself; a promise is a promise.
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