HOW TO SPOT A GOOD YOUNG RADIO MORNING JOCK

A Loyal Reader Asks:

“What characteristic should you look for in a morning jock — especially when you go talent hunting from a ‘virgin source,’ e.g., a college campus?”

Someone who is a natural-born communicator.

Someone with an abounding curiosity about and interest in life in its many forms — including, especially, people.

Someone who is self-motivated.

Someone who is self-confident.

Someone who doesn’t believe you when you tell him something is impossible.

Someone who hates to lose — but who cares more about *winning than about not losing.

*Winning = Doing Great Radio.

Someone who doesn’t discourage easily.

Someone who understands that everything could be improved upon. (Especially her own work.)

Someone who loves to learn.

Someone who learns from everyone.

Someone who isn’t afraid to say, “I don’t know.”

Someone who isn’t afraid to say, “Oops! My mistake.”

Someone who isn’t afraid to ask for help.

Someone who understands that natural-born “voice quality” is one of the least important elements of the job.

Someone who understands that the microphone is an integral part of his vocal equipment and learns how to use it.

Someone who dreams big.

Someone who respects other people — regardless of the other person’s race, religion, age, culture…and musical preference.

Someone who respects herself.

Someone who finds joy in life. And pleasure in sharing that joy with others.

Someone who instinctively “gets” that being “professional” means never, ever saying, “Oh, that’s good enough. No one will notice.”

Someone who somehow is wise enough to realize that the people who listen to the radio station are more important than the people who work for the radio station.

Someone who can get at least 10 great show prep ideas from a Chinese restaurant menu. (Regardless of whether it’s written in Chinese.)

Someone who cares enough to argue with you.

Someone who can handle repeatedly losing arguments with his PD.

Someone who for years practiced her own radio show by speaking into a broom or a hairbrush. (Note: If that behavior continued past the age of 18, it’s probably not a good sign.)

Someone who is skeptical.

Someone who is idealistic.

Someone who has principles.

Someone who is a bit brash.

Someone who sometimes is a bit scared — and doesn’t let that stop him from trying.

Someone who never is satisfied with her own work — but is proud of her good work.

Someone who absolutely loves hearing something great on the radio — regardless of the station or format.

Someone who can recognize and analyze weaknesses in other performers — and keeps those thoughts to himself while learning from them.

Someone who occasionally will drive you crazy.

Someone who doesn’t think she already knows everything.

Someone who often asks, “Why?”

Someone who often asks, “Why not?”

Someone who wants to be the very best but knows he isn’t yet.

Someone who isn’t afraid of failure (but wants desperately to succeed).

Someone who reads all the time. Except during her show.

Someone who is introspective.

Someone who is self-aware.

Someone who is empathetic. (Not the same as “sympathetic.” Empathy is the ability to imagine yourself in someone else’s situation.)

Someone who knows lots of words. And where and how to use them.

Someone with a deep, burning desire to reach through the microphone, grab the listeners by the ears or the lapels or the heart, and shake them at least gently.

Someone other people enjoy being with.

Someone in whom you see greatness — even if he doesn’t yet see it in himself.