As the Operations Manager of WPHT you work with and meet a lot of interesting and exciting people. On a regular basis I’d like to share some of the stories and experiences I have as WPHT’s Operations Manager.
Recently, the CBS Philadelphia Radio Station Group held lunch meeting featuring Phillies Skipper, Charlie Manuel. The event was primarily for our advertisers. By the way, if you’re considering where to place your advertising dollars, not only is radio a highly targeted and extremely cost effective medium, but it also comes with occasional perks such as invitations to a luncheons with personalities, such as Charlie Maunel, and other opportunities to meet celebrities. As the Phil’s return to the NLCS it seems an appropriate time to share a part of that lunch with our listening and web audience.
At the Charlie Manuel luncheon, Scott Franzke, Phillies radio play-by-play announcer, started the session by asking Charlie a few questions followed by those from the audience. I had the opportunity to ask Charlie a question. It seems to me that managing guys like Rollings, Ultley, Howard, Hammels, Werth, Victorino, etc. isn’t all that different than managing a team filled with All-Stars such as; Smerconish, Giordano, and Marks so I asked the World Series winning manager for “Leadership Lessons according to Charlie?” Manuel broke down his leadership lessons into a few simple themes:
Always be positive – no matter what keep a positive perspective and outlook.
Passion – you have to have a real a genuine passion for what you’re doing. You can’t fake passion and enthusiasm but when it’s genuine and real it’s contagious.
Selling it – you’ve got to sell your players on what you know. What I’m selling is real and the players believe it.
Open and honest communications – I communicate with each player differently but always openly and honestly.
Learning to manage big egos: You can’t be afraid of players making big money. They’ve got to learn that too many cars and fancy clothes doesn’t change who they are or what they are suppose to do.
Believe we’re going win – each player has to believe in the system, their fellow teammates and that we’re going to achieve our goals and win.
When you think about all the managers and coaches who have had successful books about their leadership styles, these certainly look like the headings for several chapters. They were the leadership lessons Charlie Manuel listed off the top of his head without prior preparation time. Each of the points gives us strong insight into how Charlie Manuel took the Philadelphia Phillies to their first world championship in 25 years and now back to back appearances in the League Championship series. Getting the opportunity to ask Phillie’s Skipper, Charlie Manuel, for his leadership lessons was just one incident in yet another day that makes programming WPHT such a terrific job!
Regards,
Andy Bloom
Operations Manager
The Big Talker 1210 WPHT
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