Grit. By far, this is the quality that drives performance.
While talent, creativity, curiosity and skill are critical needs in a news org and its people, grit sets people apart. Grit is perseverance and passion in getting the job done, facing challenges, overcoming setbacks, and chasing down stories.
You need people with grit — because they just won’t quit.
CoreBeliefs
Purpose
A great news org shares the qualities of a reader’s best friend. The smarts to learn and share what a reader needs to know today. The courage to tell uncomfortable truths. The power and desire to help those in need. The ability to produce delight and laughter on occasion. The discipline to act with consistency and intention. And a willingness to fess up when a mistake is made.
News
I believe in agenda-setting public service coverage, well-told stories about the extraordinary struggles of ordinary people, news and features that make a difference in people’s lives, reporting that exposes injustice and rights wrongs, and commentary that provokes thought. Local news also serves a vital role in knitting the fabric of a community together, reminding us of our connections and responsibilities to the neighborhoods, schools and businesses we share with our neighbors. And in our fast-paced, competitive world, we must be “on the spot” with the info people need right now.
Talent
Every employee deserves training, actionable feedback, encouragement, coaching, simple systems, and clear goals. I consider myself a coach. Everything flows from this mindset. As a journalist, I've always believed in the "teaching newsroom." I value grit, curiosity, and the ability to write a helluva story over highfalutin' credentials. I believe in a culture of continous improvement — meaning we should each strive to be a bit better than we were the day before.
Metrics
You can't manage what you don't measure. But metrics alone don't tell a story, only part of a story. I look at data the way a doctor examines an array of test results. With vital context, data can provide an overall picture of health or weakness, help us render a diagnosis and inform our judgments about people, tactics and strategy. Realtime and long-view data must be shared and discussed up and down the org so everyone understands how success is achieved and where opportunities for improvement exist.
Results
Inspect what you expect. When people know you're watching, they know you care.