Coaches Corner
When Workplace Dislike Doesn’t Make Sense …
Radio is full of characters, and it takes character to make it in this or any business. I’ve always said, “We never get off the playground.”
Remember that one kid you just couldn’t get along with? Well, as adults, there’s always that one person in charge who just doesn’t like you, and here’s the kicker, there’s no logical reason for it. “They just can’t stand you, whether you’re “walking or riding,” as my grandmother used to say.
It Was Weird…
I was involved in a radio situation where I was the good guy and my friend who did mornings was viewed as the anti-Christ by the general manager (GM). I did afternoons with mixed results and his ratings were great, yet he always got the short end of the stick.
I Could Do No Wrong…
I over-stayed my new hire hotel privileges for a month. The operations manager (OM) eventually told me I needed to find a place. Surprisingly the GM defended me, “Sam has come in here and hit the ground running. He can stay a little longer if he has to.” His words are still etched in my memory.
He Couldn’t Catch A Break…
While I was daily tipping generously on room service, way beyond the station’s trade out deal, my morning show friend was catching hell for everything—from his on-air name, “The Deadly Dr.,” to the volume of his voice around the office. Even though his ratings were strong, it didn’t seem to matter.
We Figured It Out…
The GM just couldn’t stand the morning talent, case closed. We figured it had to be something buried in his subconscious. Whoever I reminded him of, his name was Steve. The GM would sometimes call me Steve by mistake, then quickly correct himself. Once we cracked the code on why the GM seemed to favor me, my friend and I made a little game out of it.
The Same Idea…
The OM got fired, so we went without one for four months, with the GM stepping in to fill the role. He’d ask the staff for promotional ideas, and my friend and I would suggest almost the exact same things, but on different days. Funny enough, the GM always loved my ideas and shot down my morning friend in front of everyone on staff.
A Parting Of The Ways…
With no OM in place, the GM decided to demote my morning show friend to overnights. But when it became clear that The Deadly Dr. wasn’t going to quit over the demotion, the GM ended up paying out the rest of his contract.
I Saw The Light…
That station had the most insecure group of people I’ve ever worked with, but it taught me something valuable. I learned to stay focused, do my job, and avoid that one kid on the playground who just didn’t like me. Those lessons have stuck with me. No matter where you work, there’s always going to be someone trying to throw you off your game. Stay aware, stay focused, and you’ll not just survive, you’ll thrive in the workplace.
And if you need some friendly advice, drop me an email; samweaver@samweavermedia.com or text me, (972) 672-4812.