Green Eyed Monsters: available at a conveniently located small market near you

About twenty years ago I'd just started at a new station. My first day was a Monday, and at the end of the day I was headed out of the newsroom when the Assignment Editor stopped me.

"You find an apartment?" he asked.

"Yeah, but it's not ready yet. I'm still in the hotel."

"Then why don't you come by for dinner and watch Monday Night Football with me?"

Nice, I thought.

On Tuesday the reporter at the next desk asked me if I'd gotten moved in yet. When I told him no, he said, "Well, you're having dinner with me."

That's the way to welcome someone new to your station. You're in a new city, don't know anyone, your dishes aren't unpacked and you're still a little nervous about your new work surroundings.

But lately so many clients are telling me they are being welcomed to new jobs as if they are lepers. And most of this occurs in small markets. Shakespeare called jealousy a green eyed monster, and he was dead-on with that one. The monster is rearing its ugly head with the young generation, and I think I know why.

The new generation of reporters has been raised never having been told "no" by parents. (And yes, that is the fault of my generation.) When they've been in competition, no one ever "loses" as "everyone is a winner." And then they get out into the real world and can't deal with a ND who says "no" for whatever reason. When they come in second for that promotion, they find that not everyone gets a ribbon just for participating.

Welcome to the party, pal. Real life aint fair.

And when that "no" concerns a job for which they are passed over, they turn their venom to the person who got the position. Here's the typical scenario. Job opens up, everyone in the newsroom wants it, News Director hires from the outside.

The fallout: "Let's make the new person miserable."

I'm amazed at the calls I receive from young people who get venomous comments from people they barely know. Cutting remarks on appearance, style, and reporting skills are common from people who are barely out of college. They cut down any story idea pitched by the new person.

The result, the new person goes into a shell, finds a better job in a year or two. The jealous people are still stuck, now wishing they'd been nicer to the people who might be able to help them escape. You think the person they abused will have anything nice to say about them?

This is a very small business, and one in which connections are key. People that you cut down could be in a position to help you down the road... if you're nice to them and welcome them to the station with open arms.

Time to bury the green eyed monster, kids. There will always be someone with seemingly less talent who makes more money, has a better job, and seems to get all the breaks.

Might be nice if that person were your friend instead of your enemy.