A little more than 3 months ago I walked away from a 25-year TV weather career. During my final days, I posted 20 lessons I’d learned throughout my years in broadcast meteorology. In case you missed them on Facebook or LinkedIn, here is # 7. (All 20 can be found here on my main blog page. Scroll through the posts to see which topics interest you).
- PLAYING NICE IN THE SANDBOX
Let’s be honest. Not everyone likes everyone else. Not everyone is friends. There are different personalities, different belief systems, and different work ethics. People are people and we are all unique. Working in television is just like working anywhere else. There are people at work with whom you do not get along, and people who become your best friends. There are managers for whom you’d walk through fire, and managers you can’t wait to see leave. Throughout my 25 years, I worked in four different TV markets. That’s actually a low number considering some people in TV jump to a new station every 2-3 years. Even with my limited locations, I was surrounded by a revolving door of co-workers. People came and went, bosses got fired and hired, stations were bought and sold, and contracts were not renewed.
I learned that in order to work in one career for many years, you have to get along with all kinds of people. You have to grow, adjust, be pliable, roll with the punches, be nice, and also stand up for yourself. You have to change and adapt, not only with technology and information but also with various people and personalities. I like to think I did that well, but I’m sure there are a few past co-workers and bosses who disagree. Remember even when you encounter people you don’t like much, you can still learn from them. I tried to remind myself that wise men learn more from their enemies than fools learn from their friends. Even if it’s only learning how NOT to be, act, do or say.
When you work ON TV it’s more difficult to work side-by-side with someone with whom you don’t have chemistry. Not only do you need to like them but sometimes you need to read their mind, and know they won’t throw you under the bus on or off-camera. There’s a higher level of trust required when you rely on someone (who is not your spouse or soulmate) to make you look your best in front of others. I was so fortunate to have many incredible co-workers throughout the years. Some are still my dear friends today and will be long after I’ve left this business.
➡️ “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” – Theodore Roosevelt
I hope all is well for you and yours, but a lot of us miss you ! Have a great day !