Want To Succeed — Be More Like Jim.

1

Jim Watkins is the General Manager at WHUR at Howard University in Washington DC. He’s also one of Radio Ink’s Best Managers of 2017. Watkins is credited with building WHUR, 46 years ago. He’s not only the General Manager of this top tier heritage radio station, but also been a mentor to some of the industry’s most notable radio personalities and executives.

As General Manager, Jim Watkins and WHUR have won every award imaginable, multiple times, including Marconis, Service to America Awards, and the prestigious NYF’s International Radio Program Awards for their original satellite radio programs Blues on Blues for Best Regularly Scheduled Music Program and InnerView for Best Talk/Interview Special. Jim Watkins was an easy choice as one of Radio Ink’s Best Managers of 2017. Our Best Managers list will be revealed on October 9. Here’s our extended interview with one of Radio’s best, Jim Watkins.

Radio Ink: How have you been able to achieve the success you have so far in radio?
Jim Watkins: My success is firmly based on the team of individuals, and their collective talents, that I have worked with all these years. Teamwork provides the input, ideas, and diverse viewpoints necessary to successfully complete the multitude of projects we face in this industry.

Radio Ink: Who mentored you and what did they do to help you succeed?  
Jim Watkins: First of all, my parents, who stressed hard work and pursuit of your dream, fully supported my dream to become a broadcast engineer. They provided transportation to and from the radio station where I worked as a teenager and were adamant about the fact that there was no such word as “can’t.” They repeatedly stressed that there is always a way in which to succeed or to accomplish a given task and that you must give it your all and then some when pursuing your dream(s).

Later, I had three mentors: Dr. Owen D. Nichols, Vice President for Administration, Howard University; Bryant G. Harris, Director of Architectural and Engineering Services, Howard University; and Crawford McGill, Technical Manager, WETA-TV. They gave me great advice and encouragement regarding my career as a “manager.” It wasn’t until much later in life that it became obvious to me that they all saw in me what I could not see in myself. All three stressed the importance of teamwork; of bridging the gap between the technical, operational, and administrative worlds; of taking calculated risks; and of being transparent.

Radio Ink: What do you expect from the people you manage?
Jim Watkins: I expect my team members to be honest, accountable, dedicated to the good of the station, and to use their gifts to not only support and benefit the station, but to support and benefit themselves as they continue to learn and advance in their given careers.

Radio Ink: When do you know you have a great employee who has the potential to   become a manager?
Jim Watkins: That’s an easy one. There’s a spark that ignites within an individual that you can see and feel. The person demonstrates a passion for the business, but also demonstrates the power of teamwork, of working and communicating effectively with others. I have the blessing of working with students as interns. Some show that spark early and those who do can be exposed to aspects of our business that they would never get in the classroom. Even experienced employees, when given a challenging task which they successfully complete, may begin to show management potential.

Radio Ink: What is the number one challenge you face every day as a manager, and how are you overcoming it?
Jim Watkins: Keeping the team focused is my number one challenge. There are competitive challenges in the marketplace that can blur the continuous mission. Consistently keeping the lines of communication clear to the team and providing consistent oversight and feedback to team members helps me keep this challenge in check.

Radio Ink: Tell us what your biggest/most proud moment at the station or cluster was over the past 12 months.
Jim Watkins: Over the past year, WHUR has had several proud moments. On Sunday, March 5, 2017, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., we hosted our Annual Helping Hands Radiothon to raise money to send our Howard University students to 10 cities across the country and to Haiti to assist communities and families in crisis. This year, we raised a record $125,000 and students were able to go to even more communities to roll up their sleeves for a week of volunteer work.

On December 21, 2016, we partnered with the Children’s Charity Foundation to give 2,000 low-income children from the District of Columbia brand new coats, hats, and gloves to shelter them from the cold, just in time for winter. All of the children were able to pick out their own winter gear with the help of WHUR staffers and the Howard University basketball team at a special Christmas Party hosted by WHUR’s very own Mrs. Claus.

Last, but certainly not least, accepting the NAB Marconi Award for Urban Station of the Year for WHUR-FM RADIO, Howard University. This national recognition of the station’s efforts reinforces staff morale and makes all our individual efforts, sweat, and tears well worth it.

Radio Ink: What does it take to be a strong and successful manager in radio today?
Jim Watkins: You have to be flexible. The business changes more rapidly than one might imagine. You must lead by example, be firm but fair, recognize good work, inspire your team to achieve, be concise, clear, and specific on your vision. Above all, be honest. Keep your word. Do not be afraid to be human. And, always treat your team members with respect.

Reach out to Jim Watkins and congratulate him on being one of Radio’s Best Managers at [email protected]

1 COMMENT

  1. Dating apps: Should you choose somebody based mostly on music style? Occurring a date with somebody new is an thrilling step in a relationship, however proceed being careful. “So you might want to contemplate turning your self in instead of wondering when we’re going to come back knocking in your door. They’re longer, but they are extra significant than going to a movie theater. But just the way during which it’s written and some of the standard characteristics that it points out, you might be extra seemingly to accept is as true has some solutions that may very well work. ♾. Based on our experience, the average wedding ceremony price within the US is $25,000-$35,000, but of course, you can spend extra. In fact, I really like a challenge! Of course, what a cutie! Additionally, on 14 February, a VK user posted in professional-Russian separatist group “Army of the DPR. Tips for Volunteers” that they’re recruiting for “Military Unit 08826”, which is situated in Donetsk. Tip: In case you find somebody actually interesting in the group chat, you possibly can take their consent and begin a personal conversation with them. Whether you need to see Filipino ladies, discover an Asian girl, or you’re on the lookout for a pal or Cebuanas throughout your keep in the Philippines, Filipino Social has somebody for you!

    Therefore, there are various fake profiles, and also you want to think about this fact. There were two lorries and four automobiles involved within the collision and three other folks suffered serious accidents. Telephone records confirmed he had been navigating between two dating websites, had spent virtually £50 to engage with customers and was looking at profiles and editing his personal while driving, Durham Crown Court docket heard. Talking after the sentencing, Sgt Catherine Iley, from Durham Constabulary, described the crash as “actually harrowing for everyone concerned”. David Daglish, 57, and Elaine Sullivan, 59, of Seaham, and Paul Mullen, 51, of Washington, died within the crash on the A1(M) in County Durham final July. Fellow survivor Molly Smith mentioned the crash left her feeling stressed, indignant and guilty throughout the ultimate weeks of her pregnancy. Lauren Cawton, who survived the crash, was left with chronic leg ache and stated [url=https://qpidnetworkreview.weebly.com/about-qpid-network.html]qpid[/url] her life had been ruined.

    He said Compton “confirmed a callous disregard for the physical and emotional harm that he inflicted on his sufferer who was simply searching for companionship”. Onut’s telephone showed he was looking sites for 40 minutes earlier than the crash. A lorry driver who was searching dating sites on the wheel has been jailed for a crash that killed three people. Choose footage and prompts that present who you are, what you want, and the way you present your self to the world. Try Pinngle at the moment and join us in creating a better-connected world. Retaining the so-called typical thought of dating those you want or have recognized before, individuals right this moment have an open-minded attitude in direction of dating. All matches are proposed primarily based on what you stated in your persona assessment and don’t worry should you don’t need your id revealed, as you can use the location whereas retaining your profile completely nameless. The general simplicity and operate of our web site are what makes us stand out from the remainder. A couple who met on the app in January are now residing collectively and stated they enjoyed the spontaneity of it.

    You now owe me one amazingly glorious date,” I wrote. Malcolm Compton, 59, of Carpenters Lane, Keynsham, was found unanimously guilty of 1 rely of rape by a jury at Salisbury Crown Court on Thursday. At a police hearing on Friday, Mr Bellwood was discovered to have committed gross misconduct and was placed on a barred checklist. Bedfordshire Police stated Computer Mark Bellwood took images from a colleague’s non-public Facebook account to set up the profile “to determine why their relationship had ended”. A spokesman stated Mr Bellwood would have been sacked had he not resigned. He admitted the conduct and resigned forward of a listening to. Ion Onut, 41, of the Scottish Borders, admitted three counts of inflicting death by harmful driving and was jailed for eight years and 10 months. Many factors can spoil the pattern before testing as nicely, exposing the pattern to heat or direct light could trigger a number of the electrons to dissipate, causing the merchandise to date youthful. I also can confirm that they honor their free trials and don’t cost charges or anything like that.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here