Leader - Talk Show Host
"Here's Johnny!" Ed McMahon. The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson
In 2010 I was a senior trainer at a combat training center. It was a wonderful experience to coach, teach, and mentor leaders and organizations headed to combat. One of my fellow senior trainers stated once, "being a senior trainer is like being a talk show host. You spend a lot of time hosting new people, getting to know them and just talking a lot." It was humorous the way he put it but there was a lot of truth to it. Of course, I've always enjoyed dissecting and examining leadership. It helps me improve my own. So I Googled 'characters of a great talk show host.' I found some real gold.
Listen
Successful talk show hosts have a strong awareness of when to stop talking and start listening. They can keep an audience engaged but give enough time for the guest (subordinate) to speak. Source.
Be Yourself
Oprah never tried to be Ellen. David Letterman marked himself as the anti-Jay Leno. The only way your audience (those you lead) will recognize you as a figure of authority is if you stand your ground. If the audience (those you lead) gets to know the real you, you will earn their trust. Source.
Be a Tour Guide
A host guides the show (his/her people and organization). He/she takes on a variety of responsibilities depending on what is required. He or she is the audience's (those being led) "tour guide," piloting the show. The host will find themselves providing explanations to various situations and providing viewers (those being led) information on what your show (mission) is about. Source.
Be Interested in People
It's not about you. "I" needs to be thrown out of your vocabulary most of the time. It is about the audience and other people. If you are in it (leadership) for self-glorification, if you want to be famous or popular or the next cast member on a reality show, the audience (your people) is going to see right through you. Source.
Look Good
The old adage "dress for success" matters. It helps build credibility with the audience (those you lead). Hosts are unique, well-dressed, and articulate. They command attention through their ability to deliver worthwhile content in an understandable and approachable way. Source.
The audience (your people) is your king
It is your job to make them happy (fulfilled, valued, and challenged) and provide them with interesting facts. Source.
Research
Good talk show hosts do their homework understanding the topic and or their guest on a deeper level. Source.
Characteristics: Source.
Commanding
Effective
Understandable
Confident
Energetic
7 Things every show host (leader) needs to be successful on television (in leadership). Source.
Friendliness
Confidence
Sharpness
Personable and relatable
Composure
Well-spoken
Compassion
"Here's (enter your name)!" Have a great show!
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell