The Difference Between Unity And Uniformity

Inspiration for this column comes from all kinds of sources, including the occasional Sunday church message. I won’t get into the particulars, just that the subject dealt with the difference between unity and uniformity. At first glance, you’d think that these are one and the same, but I ran across this quote that very clearly differentiates between the two. “Unity is a constant effort to treat each other with respect and tolerate each other’s differences. Uniformity is the state of being uniform, holding the same views, beliefs, standard, ethics, etc. With uniformity, there is no allowance for differences.”

Knowing this, I started to wonder how unity plays a role in the culture development of a radio station staff, and how does one build that unity inside the building.

If you take a good look at some of the most successful, prominent organizations/groups, real and fictitious, they were all based on unity. On the fictitious side, think of Marvel’s Avengers. (Okay, just indulge me!) All the characters had distinctly different and separate talents – think about each one - but they were able to work together to save the world.

Think of one of the biggest musical icons of all time – The Beatles. Four very different young men from four very different backgrounds, personalities, and beliefs, but they put all of that aside when they entered a studio and wound up, musically, changing the world.

The 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team was comprised of players from all different parts of the country, all with specific talents and ranked as the best amateurs in the country at their respective positions. They put it all aside and wound up stunning the world with the “Miracle On Ice.”

All three groups had that one intangible – UNITY! How did they each get to that point?

As a leader/GM/PD of your station/group/cluster, assembling and maintaining a loyal, capable staff is the most difficult, yet rewarding, task you have. If you want a good shot at a unified group, first look for independent thinkers. Those who will challenge you often, but also bring specific, unique talents to the table. It could be

that one individual with a strong musical ear and the ability to interpret research information. Maybe it’s someone well versed in social media and the digital world, or that studio “geek” who is a wiz at production. Whatever talent a person has, they need to also have the ability to express themselves without retribution. Different talents, unique personalities, total participation.

Now, how do you roll this all together in building a unified culture? There are five steps that will lead you in this direction:

1. Define each staff member’s role specifically so that they know what is expected of them each day. Be specific so that there are no questions. How many uber-talented sports teams have we seen flounder because the players were not clear on their roles day to day?
2. Give them the necessary tools with which to do their specific job. Nothing is worse than knowing your role, yet not having what you need to meet the daily expectations.
3. Define the goals of the organization so that everyone knows the company’s expectations. Be specific: ratings, revenue, digital, etc. When The Beatles entered the studio, the goal was set – record an album by a set date. The U.S. Olympic Hockey team? Win a gold medal!
4. Establish trust by allowing each staff member the space to do his/her job completely and confidently. Micro managing is no longer applicable. Be present and available, but let them do their job and make sure you get their input before any decisions are made. Help them “tweak the engine,” but avoid showing them the “bug on the windshield.” The more involved they are, the more they’ll feel completely invested, and you’ve got yourself a team.
5. Open communication, open communication, open communication. Have I said it enough? Having a staff with so many different talents and personalities, open discussion about issues/problems/opportunities is crucial. The more you involve your staff in the process, the more they will do what’s best for the station in any situation.

Everyone on the same page is great but how you get there is what separates the best from the mediocre. Think about it. Are you a unified group right now, or is there something missing? Go back and re-read this column if you must. Know the difference between unity and uniformity, and get your team headed in the same direction.

“Taking Your Radio Presence To The Next Level. Be it an artist, radio programmer or on-air talent. Coaching and mentoring down to your foundational level”

Contact me:
John Shomby
Owner/CEO Country’s Radio Coach
jshomby@countrysradiocoach.com
757-323-1460
https://countrysradiocoach.com