Leading Your Team

I've been reading a book on the early parts of the Revolutionary War and was struck by the different styles of the two generals--- and how that might apply to how we make decisions in the newsroom. The book is "Washington's Crossing" by David Hackett Fischer.

Here's the scene. George Washington and Charles Cornwallis have both called "councils of war" during a the second battle of Trenton in 1777. "Councils of war" were pow-wows between the generals and the leadership just below them. Fischer says of Cornwallis, "His meeting was less of a council than a court." Cornwallis was there to dispense orders, not get advice from underlings. Without getting into too much of the nitty-gritty, one man at the council made a suggestion which Cornwallis quickly shot down. That one suggestion could have totally changed the outcome of the next few days.

Over on the American side, Washington was holding his meeting much differently. It sounds like it was a lot more freewheeling. And Washington didn't come in with plans that were a foregone conclusion, but began with what the situation was, what needed to be achieved and what the costs were if it wasn't. Then he'd open it up and let his officers talk their way through the issues to consensus. The meeting was also more open. Says Fischer, "Local citizens were invited to attend and speak freely."

You can imagine the breadth of advice that Washington could access. Doesn't that necessarily mean the decision will be stronger, when you've had more options from which to choose?

There are some lessons for us. Do you get people's opinions when you put your show together or is that your sole domain? Do you try to include everybody? Think on a more personal level how you felt when someone higher up asked for your advice and used it?

The best producers.. or any leaders... are not the ones who have all the ideas themselves, but can recognize the talented people around them and utilize all the genius in the room.

Another page from Washington-- he had fixed goals but flexible operations. Meaning, in terms of shows, here's what we want to do... but I'm not going to nick-pick on how you get it done. That gives people the creativity to come up with the best solution.