Last Updated: April 06, 2000
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Personnel
What top editors want from mid-level editors
Change
This may come as a surprise to the editors hunkered down at the city
desk, but their bosses want them to take chances: Try something new. Don’t
be afraid to fail.
“If you define your job as mechanic, dispatcher, caretaker, then that’s
what you will be. If you want to be more than that, you enter the world
of risk.”
“Don’t get the idea we’re locked into the way we’ve always done things.
You’re going to be wrong; you’re going to be second-guessed. But when something
audacious works, let’s celebrate.”
“Your people will tend not to want to take risks. They have to be encouraged.”
“It drives me nuts when I want to try something different and a line
editor says, ‘There’s a rule against that.’ ”
“Embrace change.”
It’s your paper, too
Top editors want their line editors to take ownership in the whole paper,
to recognize that they are part of the team that is running the place.
“The paper belongs to the readers and to all the people who put it out.
Ownership means taking responsibility.”
“Understand what the goals of the paper are. These goals are defined
by the people at the top. Everybody needs to buy into those goals. You
need to be clear about what the goals are.”
“You are now responsible for the success of the enterprise.”
Be creative
Reporters’ editors must realize that they, more than anyone else, determine
what tomorrow’s paper is going to be.
“You’re not going to succeed if you just want ‘to run something.’ I
want to hear about stories; I want people with ideas. That’s how you connect
with readers: by telling stories that resonate.”
“Be a reader advocate.”
Communicating: up and down
Top editors have this advice about dealing with the staff:
“Give feedback. That includes telling people when they are not doing
well. Don’t try to be your reporters’ friend; do try to earn their respect.”
“The newspaper runs on relationships. Build relationships that will
get good stories into the paper.”
“Lift their game. Provide opportunities.”
“Encouraging is part of your role.”
“Tell the truth. Do what you say you’ll do. Deliver on promises. Build
trust.”
“Don’t let problems fester. Do something about them, now.”
“Your reporters should be able to protest a decision of yours, without
risk to themselves. You have to be willing to listen. You have to be willing
to lose.”
How should reporters’ editors deal with the top editors?
“Don’t dismiss my story idea. If my idea is bad, talk me out of it.”
“Don’t surprise me by launching a series or a new feature that I haven’t
heard anything about.”
“If I’ve asked you to do something, follow up. Pass the word to your
subordinates. Keep me informed.”
Readers come first
Many reporters want their bosses to battle the top editors over issues
that are dear to their own departments. The bosses don’t seem to mind that
kind of advocacy, as long as it is kept in perspective.
“Fight 100 percent for your staff — but be in concert with readers.
Be the readers’ advocate first.”
Foreman, a longtime editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer, is now a
distinguished professional-in-residence at the Penn State College of Communications.
