(By John Shomby) The job of an NFL Head Coach is not unlike that of a radio station program director. Both are based on recent results, for the most part, and not the full body of work. In either position, paranoia can set in after successive losses or consecutive down ratings months. Insecurity is very much a part of either’s DNA.
Knowing all of that, it was even more impressive to witness Tennessee Titans’ Head Coach Mike Vrabel, naming his defensive line coach, Terrell Williams, the acting head coach for a recent preseason game. His reason? He wanted to give Mr. Williams the opportunity to make game decisions and get experience knowing that this would also be valuable to him as a possible future head coach candidate.
One thing we rarely, if at all, talk about in the radio business is succession planning. Part of it, of course, has to do with the fact that some station cluster staff have been depleted to single digits due to continuous cutbacks. To me, that doesn’t matter. Everyone on the job in any radio station has a direct supervisor. That’s a plain fact – whether it be over two or 22 people. How many of those direct supervisors, incorporate into their management plan, training time to prepare the staff, whatever the size, to be ready to move up or into a better position within the company?
With the various insecurities of the PD job, I’m sure one of the last items on the “to-do” list is training for your staff – training that will enable some or all of them to be able to step in and take the PD’s place anytime. Very simply – that’s succession planning. Yes, it takes precious time but this is preparing for 5 years and not 90 days down the road.
In addition, why not add mentoring time that will even prepare the staff for a better position anywhere, whether it’s with your company or not? Coach Vrabel did just that. He, now, has someone on his staff with head coaching game experience under his belt and will probably be a candidate for an open head coaching position in the offseason. A plus for him during THIS season.
There is NO downside to succession planning. Think of what it can accomplish:
- You have one or more of your staff ready to step in and handle your job.
- You have one or more of your staff who can ASSIST you with your job as they learn.
- You’re enhancing their own self-esteem as they learn and as you show enough trust to teach them all about what you do.
- You show YOUR belief in them which increases their trust in YOU!
- You’ve got the reputation as a mentor which becomes an attraction for future employees.
Take a page out of a very successful NFL head coach’s book. Don’t be afraid to teach. You’ll
grow in the process yourself.
Based in Nashville, TN, John Shomby is the owner and CEO of Country’s Radio Coach. He is focused on coaching and mentoring artists, radio programmers, and on-air talent to help them grow and develop inside the radio station and the industry. Reach John at [email protected] and 757-323-1460.
