What Goes Around Comes Around

Karma. Yin and Yang. Payback. Whatever you want to call it, in this industry, it is very real. There is almost a spiritual side to broadcasting when you look at things in the big picture. Maybe it's because of the opportunity you are given to connect with others on a daily basis. Maybe it's because you have the opportunity to make a difference in the community by holding an event or bringing some issue to light. Maybe it's because you can affect the moods of those listening - bringing either joy, sadness, or comfort to their day.

Being in radio is a special gift, no matter how you look at it. What goes on inside the studio when done right, is artwork at it's very best. Many in upper management seem to have forgotten that, and this includes Program Directors and Operations Directors too. One of the big ways that this magic, this artwork can be killed is by how the air staff is treated OUTSIDE the studio door. Sure, there are lots of stresses; make sure the logs are done, the promos are cut, the affidavits are done right, that sales is happy, that plans are underway in plenty of time for the "next big promotion." However, there is no excuse not to treat your people well.

An acquaintance of mine just lost her job this past week. From first impressions, she was a very likable person. Always had a smile on her face, and always seemed to have an open door. It turns out that most of that was a sham. Instead of taking care of business, she was shopping online. Instead of planning the next big thing, she was looking for others to blame. Most of all, instead of treating her people like the professionals they were, she treated them worse than a dog at the city pound.

Always be kind to the part time kid, to the afternoon guy going through a divorce, to the mid day woman whose son is walking the line trying to stay out of jail. These professionals have their own lives too, and they deal with and do their best to put on a good show for the audience. If you're not careful, Karma will come back and bite you square in the ass someday. Who knows, one day that part time kid you pissed off because you didn't like the t-shirt he was wearing might just be the GM you're interviewing for a job with. Treat your people well, and most of the other headaches will solve themselves.

Your ON-AIR Product is the MOST IMPORTANT Part of Your Job”

Think back with me to those “golden days” of radio, the days when you had just gotten into the business. Some of you have been here for just a few short months or years, while others, have been in it for decades. Time, makes no difference though because the excitement, the passion, the fire, the smell of the warm vinyl (ok, so I just dated myself here)…whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned hand, everyone in our line of work remembers “that spark” that got them here in the first place.

Most of us were lucky to fall under the guidance of some salty old sage – a guy whom you would swear not only knew Marconi, but probably slapped his ass and changed his first diaper. A chain-smoking, grizzled veteran of the broadcast wars, your “Zen master” had stories that went on for days and that continually made you laugh until your sides hurt. He was not just part of the business, he WAS what broadcasting was all about. Not only was he full of great stories, he also had the best fatherly advice on earth.

One piece of advice stood out among all others: “Remember Jim, no matter what they say, your ON-AIR product is the most important part of your job.” * Laughs * No, you didn’t dream it; someone ACTUALLY did say it to you! Broadcasters continually change and evolve – our one constant IS change. Yes, I miss the cart towers, and the records, I miss the prestige that goes along with being an air-personality, but most of all, I miss being able to concentrate on my air-shift. No, you’re not the only one being asked to take on more responsibility on a short-staffed radio station. No longer is it cool do hit production, do your four then hit the door. Today’s broadcaster must know how to maintain a website, grow a listener club, be a master at marketing and public relations, write promotions, deal with sales, maneuver the waters of the adminisphere, make sure the station vehicle is in running order, clean the break room, replace light bulbs…and oh yeah, when you have a moment, remember to do that air-shift thing.

No, it’s not like it used to be, and it never will be again. You’re not in this alone believe me.
Oh, and just so you see that it’s NOT a figment of your imagination, I still believe that no matter what responsibilities you have, “Your ON-AIR product is the most important part of your job.”