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Kiyoshi Tomono Reflects on Poynter Fellowship Experience

By Kiyoshi Tomono, anchor/reporter, KGET TV-17 in Bakersfield, CA

Kiyoshi Tomono

It's been two months and the emails keep coming. They're inquiries from my “Poynter Pals" seeking advice about everyday 'crises' that TV journalists face: from strained relationships with coworkers to making the most of time off. The continuing communication is a testament to the power of the week I spent in August at the Poynter Institute, thanks to a fellowship from AAJA. We did more than learn about leadership during that week-long seminar, we forged friendships that have continued ever since.

I should perhaps start by painting a picture for you. For when most people picture in their minds eye a room full of anchors, their mind's eye paints a group of well-coifed, makeup-laiden hotheads, who care more about their image than telling a story. That's the stereotype. Now here's the reality. I found myself surrounded by some of the most passionate people, both in the journalism profession and out. They were folks who care about the craft and those who work with their team to put on the best newscast possible each day. Being surrounded by such anchors, from big markets and small, was a reinvigorating experience in itself.

The title of the seminar itself was 'Leadership For TV News Anchors.' But as I mentioned, the seminar went far beyond. I learned how to resolve conflict in my newsroom, and how my coworker's perception shapes my relationship with them. I learned my personality type, and the top ten things that producers want to say to anchors, but often don't. And the seminar was a rare opportunity for introspection, the chance to turn the critical eye inward to the things that we all do that often poison working relationships. Above all, the seminar offered me a chance to create and develop a personal development plan. It's a plan based on the skills that I learned, that has already helped affect positive change in my newsroom.

Just weeks after the seminar, many of us found ourselves putting these new leadership skills to the test with wall-to-wall coverage of Hurricane Katrina and her devastating aftermath. After the initial flood of concern (some of the anchors were near Katrina's path) came a litany of success stories. Folks who weathered both the literal and figurative storm emerged mostly unscathed and proud of the work they did.

I left the Poynter Institute with a renewed sense of purpose in August. I'd like to think the basic leadership skills I learned and friendships that I made will continue to grow in the months and years to come.