I’m rereading Roger Ailes book, You Are The Message. This was written in 1988 and is just as relevant today as it was 20 years ago. I am always amazed at how much more I gain the second and third rinse through a book. This re-read is no exception. On page 36 Ailes is relaying a story about Bob Hope. Ailes was just a 23 year old associate producer for the Mike Douglas Show when Bob Hope agreed to be on their program. Ailes knew this was HUGE. Do NOT miss the lesson. Here it is.
“I was too scared to say so, but I really wanted Hope to stay for our entire ninety minute show…he wanted to plug his book and leave in five minutes. In the middle of my stammering, Hope grabbed my shoulders and steered me away from the others, through a doorway and into the scenery shop of the television station. Suddenly Bob Hope and I were alone.
He looked at me and said, ‘Kid, I know nothing about your show. I’ve never been on it and I don’t know what you expect me to do. It’s very important for you to speak up and tell people exactly what you want. I’m a big enough star to refuse whatever you request, if I decide to. But if I don’t know what you want, there’s no way I can give it to you. Now, tell a little bit about the program and the host, when I’m on, where I enter, and what’s expected of me.”
Today, I witnessed a very similar scene play out before my eyes. I watched someone stammer around with their words. After some coaxing they came out with it. They wanted something from the leader that they were NOT getting. They were sure what they wanted but they felt that it wasn’t their place to speak up.
As leaders pull your teams aside, make it safe, and encourage them to tell you what they want. The rest is up to you…
BUILT TO LEAD 