A loyal reader writes:
“How do you deal with negativity at the station? I work for a PD and GM who seem to think they can do no wrong…and that the rest of the staff should be perfect like them. A week doesn’t go by that they don’t make some kind of negative comment, either to you directly or to others in your absence.
“Recently the PD was talking to a sales rep in the control room and I walked in without him knowing, just as he was telling the sales rep he wished he could get rid of every on-air announcer because they stink. He offered no apologies and seemed quite proud of what he said.
“Like I said, this happens at least once a week. The GM has said that we (the air staff) are killing the station. The first thought that pops into my head is to quit. Is there any way to just keep on trucking along or should I look for a another job? They are hard to come by these days. I’ve even thought about approaching the owner with the situation.”
1. If the PD thinks the entire air staff is terrible and the GM believes they are killing the station, I’m wondering: How competent are the people who hired the air staff?
2. They’re not going to change. If working for them makes you miserable, find another job.
3. Do not quit your job until you have another one lined up.
4. If you want to pursue radio as a career (rather than as a job), you must be willing to consider relocating to another market.
5. Approaching the owner will do one thing: Get you fired.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I guess I’ve been lucky that I’ve been spared (mostly) from working for negative management. But I HAVE worked in a couple toxic environments and it’s just as difficult to retain focus while feeling as if your soul is being sucked from your body.
You’re absolutely right, Dan. You really have only two choices: Suck it up and try to do your job under the circumstances, or move on. Going above the manager’s heads to the owner is a bad idea. After all, who hired your manager?
There used to exist the stereotype, especially in small to medium, and even large markets – of the DJ with the U-Haul trailer permanently attached to their car. But it’s true (even in our current world of voice tracking) – if you want a career broadcasting, you have to be willing to relocate.
By the way, (And believe it or not, this was over twenty years ago) I once worked for a very famous broadcaster who told me he welcomed voice tracking because he would no longer have to pay the jocks to stand around waiting for the songs to end. Rather than be upset at what an A-hole this guy seemed to be, I decided to try to see the world through his eyes. It opened mine.
I learned that reading the newspaper during your show was not show-prep. I learned that dealing with your personal relationships over the phone during your show was a good way to have a really sucky show. I learned that wandering down the hall to shoot the breeze with the production guy might cost me a really great phone call.
In other words, I learned the show doesn’t just happen during the breaks.
Of course, my boss probably could have communicated his thoughts THAT way instead of the way he did. But I got his point.
I know a couple in Atlanta that are sure trying
Yes, you find a new job. I’ve never seen one take themselves out. They will get rid of you before they lose their job.
It’s amazing what you can learn from amateur management. Don’t be afraid to push back!
Patience & a deep breath…They eventually take themselves out!! Thankfully!!!
They’re their own worst enemy. The best thing for talent to do is to just put themselves in the shoes of management…the ones who take the guff from corporate or even sign the check. Try and understand why management is the way it is, and learn from that, but apply the philosophy “how much better can I handle the situation?” The best thing to do is smile and nod, but draw the line at abuse. That’s grounds for a poor work environment and is legally actionable. I’ve been blessed in my present situation, which is very positive.
I’ve long believed that if you praise people for doing a good job it gives you more credibility on those occasions when you need to be more critical.
There are some people in management, though, who seem to rule by fear. While such an approach might keep everybody on their toes, it doesn’t do much for team morale, or encourage people to give their best. Often the only real motivation the staff receive is to do their best to find another job as soon as possible!
Remember, you can’t keep your eyes on the road ahead if you’re constantly having to look over your shoulder!
The lunatic Op Manager I worked with had such emotional problems he eventually blew up and wanted to fight the General Manager in the Parking Lot…How’s that for taking your self out!!
I once had a Program Director who had “take a bit out of someone’s @ss” on his daily “to do” list. Managing by fear and intimidation is so 1950′s. When will some of these management folks learn you actually have to teach, nurture and manage your people. I don’t think some of them will learn. Mike Bell’s post above nails it on the head. You have to do your show and manage, nuture and grow your show. Great post Mike.
Another company I worked for had just laid off about 4 people when the GM walks in the building and say very loud, “I wonder who we can fire today?”. Then he laughed.
I’ve worked for alcoholics, physical abusers, porn-addicted sycophants, Napoleonic despots and dirtbags who bugged the intercoms and phones… all in large and major markets. The most people I would gladly work with again were in Champaign, Illinois, currently market 220.
I had such high hopes for this topic then found it to be a misleading title.
i couldn’t…..
I had two back to back, and it made me lose faith in radio for a while, but I recovered and my career is better than theirs ever was… and they are no longer even in the biz. Karma.
They are destroying the media, along with the ongoing business challenges.
Dan’s right of course. The real legendary pros in this industry, current and former, always focused on one thing and one thing only: being the best radio entertainer they could be, regardless of all else. And if you asked each one of them personally they will all tell you that they had (or currently have in some cases) negative jerks for bosses. The great entertainers in any arena are those who can succeed despite their surroundings. If you want to get ahead in any business you have to push yourself beyond the day to day office BS and focus solely on your show and your audience. They’re the only ones that matter and pleasing them is how you get a bigger career.