BE BETTER TODAY THAN YESTERDAY

Blaise Labbe, Former Kneeland Board Member and a 2002 Kneeland Fellow, is Group News Director for Sinclair Broadcasting in San Antonio. In this article, Blaise encourages new news executives to “be better today than yesterday” – one of Carole’s driving mottos.

A month after I started as news director at KCTV in Kansas City, a photojournalist asked me if I realized what I had gotten myself into. I explained to him I knew there were going to be issues when I joined the team, but that I was still feeling confident. He laughed and said, “You thought you were coming to fight a two alarm fire, but now you now realize it is a five alarm.”

I smiled… because I knew things wouldn’t change overnight.

Carole Kneeland often encouraged her staff to be “better today than yesterday.” I have internalized that saying and encourage you to do the same. New news executives have many challenges. They have to quickly evaluate staff, systems, budgets, ratings, research, and become familiar with their new role. It is easy to get distracted and lose focus. It is about keeping the big picture in mind and staying out of the weeds.

– Set realistic and attainable goals for the newsroom.
– Align them with a timeline.
– Celebrate when your goals are reached.
– Articulate your expectations.
– Keep your GM in the loop, so that he/she can help you succeed.

Not long ago, that photojournalist returned to my office and said he was pleased with our progress. Our ratings have grown in some areas, and there is definitely a better vibe in our newsroom. We’re better today than we were yesterday, and will be even better tomorrow. Thanks, Carole.