What does it take to become a leader in the newsroom? Lekan Otufodunrin offers some nuggets for aspiring journalists
Know your job very well and do it even if you are not acknowledged. It will count for you sooner or later in your organization or somewhere else.
Do more than you are assigned to do to show you have personal initiative. You don’t have to wait to be told to do what you have the capacity to do. Managers are those who can take charge of situations even when they are not asked to.
Be a leader on your own beat or space however small and give your management an idea of what you are capable of doing if given higher assignments.
Prepare well ahead of your editorial meetings with good ideas and suggestions for improving the general workflow. Learn to speak up instead of keeping quiet even when you have better ideas. No one can keep a good staff down for too long.
Build your own circle of influence with the support you are giving other colleagues. Be willing to help those who need help with how to be better on their job. Share useful resources and network.
