Hank Gilman, the deputy managing editor of Fortune, has a book out called “You Can’t Fire Everyone, and Other Lessons from an Accidental Manager.”
In the book, he uses a lot of examples from the world of business journalism of what he likes and dislikes about managers. Here are a few:
1. Gilman doesn’t understand why there’s one organization — Bloomberg News — that doesn’t rehire people who have left. If they’re good and you’re good to them, they’ll want to come back once they see what else is out there, Gilman argues.
2. Gilman doesn’t like how The Wall Street Journal badmouths any competitor that one of its journalists is considering going to. He thinks the better strategy is to not say anything. That’s more professional.
3. Gilman believes in treating stars as stars, but being upfront and honest about the treatment, such as allowing them to work at home. It gives the other reporters and editors in the organization something to strive for.
4. Gilman believes in being up front with his reporters. If someone has written something that wasn’t up to par, let them know. It makes them try harder on the next story.
The book should be required reading for any manager in business journalism.
