I was fascinated by this study on air talent goals as conducted by Jacobs Media. “Being happy and working with good people” far outranked everything else by a wide margin. When I think back on my radio career, my favorite memories most often are linked to the individuals and the teams with whom I worked. Ratings success, market size and personal achievement remain an afterthought. I don’t think that I’m alone in feeling this way. When I talk to people with whom I worked over the decades, the memories that we share inevitably revolve around the people with whom we worked and the good times that we shared.
The radio business has changed dramatically over the years but the radio experiences that we most cherish have not changed. Building teams of people who work together harmoniously and enthusiastically should be a top priority for radio owners and managers throughout the industry.
I got into radio because it seemed like a lot of fun. Of course, there were times when it was really difficult and challenging but, in the end, a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie made it all worthwhile.
By Andy Beaubien, BPR
