Cultivating Positive Work Environments
'SISTAS' Stars KJ Smith & Novi Brown share how they've formed bonds that go beyond their hit series
Let's face it - newsrooms can be toxic. Most journalists can readily tell several stories of cursed- laced arguments that have taken place in the middle of the newsroom. The practice is so common, I detailed a few in my book #JOURNOLIFE where coworkers have refused to work with each other, tantrums were thrown at press conferences, and ego trips like you wouldn’t believe. Shouting matches are so enthralled in our work environment that depending on who did the shouting, it’s sometimes looked at as a badge of honor.
Every newsroom disagreement doesn’t involve door slams and shouting matches. Some are the result of lasting feuds and power struggles. A veteran sports anchor in Chicago was reportedly fired recently for saying on-air that the lead anchor could “play the ditzy, combative interior decorator” as part of a fictional DIY Network show. Apparently, this was the last straw in a string of disrespectful and unprofessional comments that created a tense work environment.
We’ve typically chalked such behavior up to being ‘part of the business. Every journalism student has repeatedly been inundated with the advice of needing ‘thick skin’ to be a successful journalist and to ‘never take it personal.’ This advice was intended to safeguard against both outside components and coworkers. But has it been used as an excuse for the creation of hostile work environments? Is there ever an excuse for rude and abusive behavior? The obvious answer is no, however destructive behavior goes unchecked in the majority of newsrooms today.
While some news directors have implemented standard codes of conduct the “it’s just a part of the business” perspective will need to change through discussion in classrooms where future journalists are being trained. Updated advice that does not excuse bad behavior and contribute to toxic work environments have to be the new normal.
Of course big egos and short tempers aren’t exclusive to newsrooms. We spoke with two of the stars of BET networks’ hit show ‘Sistas,’ KJ Smith and Novi Brown who took us behind-the-scenes of filming and shared how they’ve managed to form bonds that go beyond their on-screen characters.
