No Candy Hearts Though, No

In your radio career you have probably encountered a lot of different personality types.

There was always one that got under my skin, until lately. I've had a change of heart. In a nutshell you could label this person a "Zealous Listener Lover." The radio person that was so in love with the listeners at all times that you could never have a real conversation with him/her.

"How's the football team doing this week?"

"I don't really keep up on football because my 'Christy' doesn't watch football."

Everything they say comes back to the listener. I dated a girl like this. She only wanted to talk about her church or a scripture reference, which isolated me anytime I wanted to make a comment about the weather. (Don't take that wrong! I love my Savior!)

Another example: I grew up with a guy who is in love with his softball league. Every time I wanted to ask him about his new budding family he would go off for minutes on end about his batting average last spring.

And then don't get me started on fantasy sports team owners! "They" are so in love with something that it has robbed them of their ability to communicate with anyone not on the same wavelength.

With Clear Channel wiping out air staffs with one fatal swipe and the economy taking its hit on radio, there is no longer time to "play radio." I am learning that I too will be a dinosaur if I do not learn quick how to be more like "Zealous Listener Lover."

The best comparison I can draw is the early feelings of dating someone. You are out with your guy friends who are talking about baseball, dirt and chickas, and all you can muster up is your thoughts for this girl you have been hanging out with.

I want that to be my listener and me. I have to! If each thought on the air doesn't have them as the center of my world, then I have just opened the door for them to take one of the 10 other options sitting in the car with them at that moment.

I am not about to write a love letter in this edition of Bully Pulpit but I would like to encourage all of us to reunite with our love. The listener. I may draw up a Valentine's Day Card and leave it on the control board as a reminder. But I stop at candy hearts, no.