Coaches CornerBy Sam WeaverEditor, Urban/Urban AC Promotion, All Access Music Group |
Bad Hires … It Happens
courtesy All Access Music Group September 25, 2018
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Team chemistry and office politics are sometimes overlooked and undervalued in radio. A few bad apples with narcissistic tendencies can ruin station’s ratings, revenue base, and morale. Before you hire someone, find out as much as possible about them beyond their skills. Never second-guess yourself if things still don’t work out with a new employee; there is the right of free will, you can’t anticipate or plan for everything
We try everything humanly possible to hire the right person for jobs and despite background checks, talking to former employers, holding auditions for on-air, conducting countless interviews and flying candidates in, we still miss the mark sometimes.
All Advice Isn’t Good Advice …
I once had to replace the lead host for my morning show while I was coordinating an annual station event. It was the only time in my career I did not follow my usual steps to find a replacement. Instead I relied on our consultant to help find someone. He had an ear for talent, but had been years removed from dealing with office politics.
I Knew The Risk …
Being a former air personality, I understand the idiosyncrasies and quirks of the talented few. However, I draw a line in the sand with anyone detrimental to a station’s reputation or constantly leaving me in an undefendable position.
Should Have Followed Instinct …
I took my eye off the ball and took the consultant’s advice to hire a new air personality. His demo was awesome and several PD peers of mine gave a thumbs up … but they left out his tendency to cause havoc in the work place. Again, I should have known better and slowed down from the event planning to go through my own unorthodox way of finding air talent.
He Sounded Great … But
You can tell by what I’ve been saying that the new hire turned out to be a disaster. He sounded great, but almost cost me an established co-host, conned the sister of a fellow air talent out of money, and caused problems with sales. In other words, he was more trouble than he was worth. Timing is everything, so I kept everyone calm until after our event. Immediately following our gala and before his 90-day probation period was up, I let him go. A lesson learned, never be so busy as to not follow your own hiring practices.
The Right Fit …
Team chemistry and office politics are sometimes overlooked and undervalued in radio. A few bad apples with narcissistic tendencies can ruin station’s ratings, revenue base, and morale. Before you hire someone, find out as much as possible about them beyond their skills. Never second-guess yourself if things still don’t work out with a new employee; there is the right of free will, you can’t anticipate or plan for everything.
- MORE INNER EXPERT ADVICE CAN BE FOUND HERE AT AllAccess.com
They say good help is hard to find. I say good managers are hard to find. Meddlers and those with their stable of apple polishers can wreck an organization as quickly as a rogue employee. Good employees cant win in such a scenario and so, they take their experience and talent down the road.