[Kzyxtalk] Questions for GM/Executive Director Candidates

[sako4 at comcast.net]

8 December 2015 

Open Letter to My Colleagues on the KZYX Board: 

Per Board Chair Meg Courtney's request earlier today, here are my five questions -- or areas of inquiry -- for candidates for GM/Executive Director at KZYX who we will soon be interviewing: 

1. What are the most important goals for the station at this time? 

2. How will you engage with the members and the public? 

3. How do you feel about the board of directors telling you what to do? 

4. Please tell us about your management style? 


    * Is your style Autocratic? (The GM/Executive Director makes decisions unilaterally, closely controlling every aspect of the station's operations, and purges critics.) 
    * Consultative? (Decisions take into account all points of view of the station's 5-6 employees, 80-90 volunteer programmers, and 2,200 members -- a premium is put on two-way communication and feedback.) 
    * Persuasive? (The GM/Executive Director is involved in two-way communication, but is also committed to getting support for decisions and will change decisions when there is a lack of support.) 
    * Democratic? (Allows employees, volunteer programmers, and members a part in the decision-making process, therefore most important decisions are agreed upon by the majority.) 
    * Chaotic? (The Silicon Valley model -- gives employees, volunteer programmers, and members almost total control in the decision-making process, thereby encouraging innovation by giving influence to all.) 
    * Laissez-faire? (The GM/Executive Director takes a back seat to employees, volunteer programmers, and members, and gives direction when needed -- the manager is more like a mentor than a leader.) 
    * Management By Walking Around, also known as MBWA? (Used by managers who are proactive listeners -- a premium is put on people skills, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to meet with all stakeholders.) Please give concrete examples of your management style. 

5. What do you know about the recent history of conflict at KZYX? Did you know one third of our members voted for reform candidates in what have usually been uncontested board elections, or that the number of members and underwriters have both fallen in the last five-ten years? Did you know that KZYX Members for Change at Facebook has over 140 members? Did you that some members actually filed objections to the renewal of the station's two licenses at the FCC? Did you know that a lawsuit is being contemplated by some members for what are perceived to be the station's violations of the California Corporations Code? Assuming you know something about our recent history of conflict, please answer the following parts to this area of inquiry: 

    * Without taking sides or playing the blame-game, how would you resolve those conflicts? Heal those wounds? 
    * Leaders must initiate crucial conversations. What are those conversations? 
    * How do we focus on accountability and stop bullying? 
    * What communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills do we need to focus on? 
    * What is our shared vision? What are our shared goals? 
    * What is the social contract for team behavior? 
    * How do we recognize disagreements and not ravage the team? 
    * What are the missed opportunities? 

I want to thank Chair Courtney for the chance to comment on how we will interview the candidates who make it to the final round. 

KZYX is at an important crossroads. We've been highly dysfunctional during these last few years. I hate it. I want it to stop. Dysfunction leads to devastation. We're killing KZYX. All of us. We've all played a part in the dysfunction. 

With our former GM/Executive Director (John Coate) and Program Director (Mary Aigner) finally gone, KZYX may have a chance at a new beginning. 

I hope so. 

Happy Holidays, 


John Sakowicz 
KZYX Board of Directors (2013-2016), Board Treasurer (2014) 






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