Steven Slater's story really struck a chord with me. And with stressed out workers everywhere, apparently. Who hasn't considered grabbing two beers, screaming a few obscenities and pulling the ripcord on their career?
"Screw it! I'm outta here!"
Sunday night I met up with my former co-worker Tony Kovaleski and his wife Laurie. They overnighted in Kansas City while taking their daughter to Mizzou. Tony and I worked together 25 years ago at KTVN in Reno. During our dinner at Abuelos in Zona Rosa and for two plus subsequent hours we remembered and laughed about our early careers in television. I was a green reporter when Tony arrived and even though he'd already earned his stripes at a TV station in Eureka, California, our boss ordered me to "show him the ropes."
I had worked my way into the newsroom from traffic and receptionist. I'd paid my dues so I was fully prepared to hate Tony. In fact, I already did hate him.
Tony's immediate and obvious competence forced me to spend most of my time sulking in the news car while he and a photojournalist gathered information and sound on a story about residential mailbox vandalism. He didn't need me to show him the ropes. I realized pretty quickly that I would soon be learning from him.
But he couldn't know that. I had to keep it a secret. So I resorted to my first, best defense.
I made fun of him. To his face.
Tony and Chip Baker (the photographer, RIP) were prepping for his stand-up and I rolled down the window of the news car so I could exercise some intimidation, in case he was nervous.
"Three-two-one-mark," he said and then launched into his stand-up.
I started laughing.
"Who the hell is Mark?" I teased him. He tried to explain that doing a countdown helped the editor find the starting place but I would have none of it. I just mocked him unmercifully, all the way back to the station, changing the word "mark" to his first name.
"Three-two-one-Tony" has been a trademark of our friendship for more than two decades. He is now a National Murrow Award winning investigative journalist at KMGH in Denver. His career took him from Reno to Los Angeles to Phoenix to Houston to Denver. I have a few more cities in my resume...
Though the years, when I've had career bummers or questions, Tony has been there for me. A sounding board. A constant friend. A counselor. Despite our rocky beginning.
Work relationships can save you from the overwhelming stress so prevalent today.
If you feel overwhelmed, you might lose confidence and become irritable or withdrawn, become less productive and effective. You'll definitely think your work is less rewarding. If the warning signs of work stress go unattended, it can lead to bigger problems.
Don't be a Steven. Hang in there. Find your Tony.
