Several months ago ASNE and Poynter set out to find stories of leadership in journalism for a book to be published this spring.
We found them.
The book, “Leading by Example,” is forged from thoughts and ideas from leaders and journalists across the country.
This is a thank-you column for what proved to be invaluable support that will lift the quality of the book and that gave us far more stories than we could publish. More about that in a bit — but first, the birth of the book:
It began with the commitment of two individuals who wanted to highlight today’s newsroom leadership challenges — Rich Oppel, editor of the Austin American-Statesman, and Tim McGuire, editor of the Star Tribune — the past and current ASNE presidents.
Last year, Oppel and Jennie Buckner, editor of the Charlotte Observer, oversaw a survey of 20 newsrooms that delved into what news staffs say they need and want from leaders. Buckner and her Leadership Committee produced a report, A Call to Leadership. The guidance from this report is valuable for its specifics about leadership at any level in newsroom.
This year, McGuire and Leadership Committee Chair Paul Tash, editor and president of the St. Petersburg Times, envisioned a book of leadership stories that would provide examples of what makes leaders effective. The book, “Leading by Example”, gave us an opportunity to look at leaders contending with issues within newsrooms, in the journalism field and in the communities they cover. I am editor of the book on behalf of ASNE and Poynter.
Through Poynter.org and other means, we invited nominations from the entire field of journalism.
- We wanted to uncover less-celebrated leaders who deserve attention. This open process of nominations produced several stories that will be in the book.
- Other stories emerged from research on important journalistic issues, such as Freedom of Information, and how leaders are making a difference for the greater good.
- Others came from networking with journalism connections to expose more stories and to provide a range of circumstances, particularly some fine work that is taking place at small newspapers.
We’ve settled on 35 stories of “Leading by Example”.
Those 35 emerged from a field that was enriched almost daily by developments in the business and then by the dramatic nature of news events from Sept. 11 forward. The book is in production now.
Between the lines of the stories and along the trail from story to story, the reader develops a picture of newspaper successes that are hard to find in today’s industry headlines focusing on budgets and corporate earnings. These are stories about getting things done and doing them well regardless of resources or other pressures.
An important note:
“Leading by Example” is limited by time and by space. But all the nominations are being kept for possible use beyond this publication. Staff members and colleagues were passionate about the character, leadership, and commitment displayed by their nominees. We won’t lose sight of that, and hope to find other venues for stories that did not make this edition.
While the book will not be published for two more months, this is a good time to thank the more than 50 nominators who opened the process that began last summer. You broadened our scope and helped keep our vision fixed on the important themes to pursue and on the range of circumstances to portray.
On behalf of Poynter and ASNE, we thank you for your insight. You demonstrated your own ability to lead by example.
