Coaches Corner by Sam Weaver
A Locked Door, Police, A Lesson In Communications …
If you’re going to do a favor for someone at work, clue in anyone who might get caught in the crossfire. Nobody likes being put in the middle of something that turns into a situation. Yep, this one’s straight from the archives of “This Should Have Never Happened.”
What Was That?…
The station I was working at shared a floor with an insurance company. Our prize closet was out in the hallway across from us, right next to the insurance office and the elevators. It was a Saturday night, and I had just wrapped up some production for Monday morning. I figured I had just enough time to run to Arby’s before my air shift. While I waited on the elevator, I heard a loud thump from the prize closet and figured something had just fallen.
There It Is Again…
The elevator finally showed up. As I stepped in, I heard another noise coming from that closet. Instead of riding down, I stepped back out and walked over. I put my ear to the door, yeah, I really did, and it sounded like someone was moving around inside. Not sure what I was thinking, but I tried the knob. It was locked.
We’re Not Alone…
I went back in the station and went to the on air studio to talk to Chuck, the guy on the air before me. I told him I thought somebody was in the closet. We both headed over. He leaned in, listened, and whispered, “I think you’re right. Somebody’s in there. Probably trying to rip us off. We got all those new boom boxes in there too.”
Time To Call For Help…
We went back inside the station and called the police. They showed up fast, there were six of them. They knocked, announced themselves, pulled their guns, and told us to stand back. Then we heard a little click. The door slowly opened.
Shaking All Over…
Poor babies, it was the receptionist and a female friend of hers standing there with fear in their eyes. We told the police, “It’s okay, we know them.” The receptionist was bawling her eyes out. Between sniffles, she explained that the Program Director (PD) told her she could grab a prize out of the closet after hours since the pickup deadline had passed. The police asked her why she just didn’t identify herself when they called out? She said, “I was afraid we’d get in trouble.”
All’s Well That Ends Well…
The officers laughed it off, we gave them some T-shirts, and nobody had to take a ride downtown. We called the PD and told him what happened. He said, “My bad, guys. I should’ve let you know she’d be coming by to get something out of the prize closet.”
What I Learned…
1. When you’re doing someone a favor at the station or in any workplace, don’t involve anybody else unless they’re in the loop.
2. In radio, and in life, a little swag and a smile can fix just about anything.
3. And for every manager out there, PDs included, make sure your team knows that you’re the first call, no matter what’s going on.
And if you need some friendly advice, drop me an email; samweaver@samweavermedia.com or text me, (972) 672-4812.