I Was Warned About Prima-Donnas ..

There's always that one person that knows it all. They're always telling you what you should have been done. But of course, they were nowhere to be found when you were looking for help. The typical backseat programmer.

They sometimes become the self-appointed spokesperson on some internal issues. The group knows it’s just easier to let the person spout off on their behalf rather than risk retaliation from the person. I speak from experience on the subject. Early on I was warned about ego maniacs in this business.

Lesson Learned ...
I'd been on several staffs with self-absorbed talent. The first time I faced the situation I openly disagreed with the know-it all. The innuendo and lies led to the Program Director getting fired. The rabble rouser was rewarded by being promoted to the vacated position. Within a week, I was moved to overnights. It was a lesson learned. I never again voiced my opinion in group meetings until my career led me to being the boss. It was one of my first lessons in the art of office politics.

Stumbled Upon A Way ...
My years as a professional transient air personality taught me how to get a handle on a "Problem child" air talent. When I entered the ranks of becoming a Program Director, I stumbled upon a way to isolate an on-air malcontent.

Let It Come To You...
The self-appointed spokesperson approached me about holding a meeting to fix a non-issue; how to approach talk-sets. He was the only one having a problem with the open mic moniker of "Your Station," used immediately after saying the station call letters. My Music Director asked me why I was going to hold an air staff meeting about something no one else had a problem with. I told him, "Sometimes it's best to isolate one person and let them think they are in charge."

He Spoke ...
I held the meeting and right off the bat let him have the floor. He proceeded to say he and the other personalities needed more time to express themselves in open mic talk-sets. He said, "We sound like robots with the new open mic line. This town is used to us sounding real. We don't want to say, 'Your Station' because we think it interferes with our flow."

My Turn …
I let him finish and then I asked the group, "Does #### speak for everyone?" Not one person raised a hand. I had to stop myself from laughing before I said to him, "Always make sure you are speaking for others before you anoint yourself as their leader." Several personalities were chucking, but the Music Director was into full blown laughter. The results of the meeting quieted him down for about three months until his ego came forward again. Many wondered why I put up with him. The answer was simple, he got good ratings and helped me hit my bonus targets.

At Every Job ...
Working with or around the egotistical can be a challenge, but you can't let them run over you. Find ways to keep them in check without letting your ego get in the way. I've always thought Rod Serling's opening monologue for TVs "Twilight Zone" best described working in radio.

"It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone."