Do you appreciate your coworkers and what they do to make your job easier? Well maybe you should! It sounds like no big deal and something we probably never give much or any thought to. Most of the time we get caught up in office gossip or petty things that may bother us about someone, it’s easy to do. But lately I’ve come to see just how important it is to treat your coworkers with respect and let them know how much you appreciate their efforts.
Here at WBAP we recently experienced some issues that left us extremely shorthanded in the 
newsroom. The departure of Jim Ryan to ABC News took a star reporter off the streets….although we certainly wish him well. The retirement of Mark Watkins left a whole in the afternoons and the promotions of two of our midday reporters…to replace Jim, Alan Scaia was promoted to morning reporter and Eric Bushman was selected as the new afternoon drive anchor. Already thin at midday until new hires could be made, the hammer fell again when Alan was involved in a very dangerous wreck that put him in the hospital in serious condition with a long road of recovery ahead. And this all happened in about a month’s time. Now we were actually down three people with only one street reporter (props to Robbie Hoy for going the extra miles to cover the entire Metroplex during the day).
This is when you find out what your team is made of. I found out our news team was made of iron. Everyone pitching in extra stories, extra hours and extra support. To say we are stretched thin in the mornings would be a major understatement. With the temporary loss of Alan, there was no one to hit the street running on breaking overnight news. My morning editor Doug Helton has the task of starting his day at 2am to make sure I have enough news ready to go at 5am for the first newscast. He has certainly pulled off a miracle over the last 30 days! And I’m not sure how he does it, but I’m so grateful and I hope he gets a big fat raise!!! (I hope Tyler is reading this).
Every office has a multi-tasker. I used to think that was me until I saw Freda Ross in action. Our Assistant News Director gets bombarded everyday with press releases and media requests….easy when you have some one to assign stories to…not so easy if you don’t. Now days, Freda will often have not one but two or three computers up working multiple stories and breaking news all at the same time! Does she know that we see that effort? Does your multi-tasking coworker? Not unless you tell them! That coworker may just feel stressed and overworked and not actually realize they are making a difference.
What about your boss? Do you believe the boss deserves a little appreciation? In media, especially 24 hour news, some one always has to be there. And with virtually no one on the bench, the boss has to jump in. I can’t even imagine the scheduling nightmare that our News Director Rick Hadley has had to go through since all these changes took place. He has kept the ship afloat and rallied the troops with promises that it will get better. Thank you Rick for leading by example and doing it with a smile on your face.
If this sounds like a lot of sucking up on my part, maybe it is, but it was born out of true appreciation for what the people around me do on a daily basis. We’ve all had to step up and pitch in. In a lot of ways all this adversity has made us a stronger team. I can’t think of one time I have heard anyone complain. Instead I’ve heard – “how is Alan” “what can I do to help” “what do you need from me”?
It’s so easy to take our coworkers for granted, after all they get paid to do their job just like you do. But when the chips are down, will they go the extra mile for you? All these people make my job easier and better…and I want them to know it. So thank you, your efforts are appreciated. See how easy that is!
Hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, or other Happy Holiday of choice and a very Happy New Year!
Marlee
Follow me on Twitter @MarleeMcCormick