Coaches Corner
Watch Your Back …
Sometimes others don’t have your best interest at heart. That’s especially true when you first start out working in a new job. Being a ‘Newbie’, it takes a while to find out who your friends are. I recently communicated with an air personality who found herself stuck in the middle of a difficult situation. She was deceived by the APD, and it almost cost her job before she could even get started.
Air Talent: I just started working part-time on air here, and there’s a good chance I’ll catch on full-time at one of the cluster stations. I hope what happened won’t hurt my chances. I got a call last weekend from the midday person, and he asked me if I could work for him on Saturday. I agreed to do it and never thought anything about it because the guy is also the APD.
Coach: What exactly did he say?
Air Talent: I was half asleep and don’t remember. He made it sound as if he got the okay from the Operations Manager (OM). I don’t need management thinking I’m a screw up. On Monday I had a meeting with the OM and explained what happened. But I was careful to not say anything bad about the APD.
Coach: It sounds like a misunderstanding. I’m sure the OM knows you didn’t intentionally go against the rules. Besides, it was his second in command that was responsible. It sounds more like they need to get on the same page.
Air Talent: He’s still APD and acting as if nothing ever happened.
Coach: Whatever it is, it’s between them. Who knows, maybe the APD had an emergency, tried contacting the OM and couldn’t get him. But it sounds like everything is fine. So, stop worrying.
Air Talent: At the end of our meeting, he gave me a copy of paperwork I’d signed off. He had highlighted the passage that said, “unless it comes directly from me, or a designated person in charge, no one else can assign a shift.”
Coach: Well, there you go. I’m sure at some point that you and the APD will talk about it. Good luck on getting full time status.
Air Talent: Thank you.
Double Check …
It’s important to try to learn the nuances of a new environment. What’s considered normal behavior can vary from one job to another. When you begin at any job, always double check when a fellow air staffer asks you to do anything that sounds different from what you were originally told by the boss. I’m not suggesting that you should be paranoid, but just keep a watchful eye until you get the lay of the land.
And if you need some friendly advice, drop me an email; samweaver@samweavermedia.com or text me, (972) 672-4812.