Making the most out of the staffer-editor relationship

5/20/09

Positive is better than negative

-Respect each other's goals to do quality work. You're not always going to
agree on everything, but you can maintain that respect in any situation.
-Find common ground. You may not like your editor's idea; you may not
like your staffer's idea. Don't face off; talk about what makes you
uncomfortable and work toward a solution.
-Pick your battles wisely. A journalistic debate can be invigorating.
Constant arguments sap the energy of everyone involved. If you're adamant
on a point, offer potential solutions.
-Understand the pressures and responsibilities each of you face and take
those into account when you're working together.

Problem-solving
-Some problems have either-or solutions; most don't. Explore the
possibilities. In most cases, you can reach a decision that you both can agree
with.
-Questions are usually not challenges, so avoid feeling threatened. If asked
why you did something a certain way, explain it. That will open a
conversation.
-Stop and listen.

Respect time
-Don't waste each other's time asking for things you could find out on your
own.
-Come to meetings prepared.
-When you leave a meeting, go over what's expected of whom. That saves
you from having to retrace steps later in the process.
-If you're going to have trouble meeting a deadline, bring it up earlier
rather than later if possible. That gives everyone a chance to solve the
problem without scrambling.

Pay attention to feeback

-Be aware if your editor is coaching you on the same points repeatedly. It
may be that you're not picking up on coaching, or falling back on old habits
that need to be dropped.
-Be aware if your staffer comes to you repeatedly with a certain question
or problem. It may be that you're missing a chance to help them by putting
out fires instead of fixing an ongoing problem.

Make bargains you can keep

-If you can clear this day for me to report, we can talk about story focus
the next morning.
-If you can file the story by this time, I'll edit it and get back to you right
away.
Ask questions
Questions are signs of strength, not weakness.
-What can I do? How can I help?
-Can you help me prioritize my assignments? How can we work through
what's on your plate so you can get to this assignment?
-What could I have done better?

-Scott Blanchard