The Talent Coach: Craig Bruce

 Definition of Jet lag by Merriam-Webster : a condition that is characterised by various psychological and physiological effects (as fatigue and irritability), occurs following long flight through several time zones, and probably results from disruption of circadian rhythms in the human body. 

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jet lag

Often when you talk to breakfast hosts and their support teams about the effects of getting up at 4am every morning they’ll describe it as feeling “permanently jet lagged” 

I can relate to this having spent several years on breakfast radio. There were some mornings where despite all of my best efforts and enough Red Bull to kill a small rhino, my brain’s reaction time was off by just enough to render me next to useless. 

There’s nothing worse than getting off the air after one of these shifts and the first person you see is your content director who looks like he’s just got back from a Balinese day spa with enough spring in his step to make you want to slap him telling you that the show “didn’t quite hit the mark today.” 

Really Einstein? 

Breakfast radio is hard work for so many reasons, but the 1 thing programmers often forget is the toll that early mornings and a lack of sleep can have on a performer or a team. 

What we ask our breakfast shows to do is completely and utterly unnatural. And if you don’t believe me, try it for a month. 

Set the alarm for 4am then imagine having to get in front of a room full of people at 6am with a presentation that will captivate them. Preferably one that makes them laugh, cry and one they can truly relate to. (Yes, I was the one who came up with that bullshit “rollercoaster of emotions” metaphor, my bad.) 

So if you’re the bright eyed and bushy tailed content director in this equation, I have a suggestion. 

Empathy | Definition of Empathy by Merriam-Webster 

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy

Define empathy: the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions : the ability to share someone else’s feelings 

Occasionally cutting some slack is not sending a message that “slacking off” is ok. It’s sending a message that you appreciate how difficult the life of a breakfast host can be. 

Sometimes letting the team go early or cutting short a planning meeting so that the hosts can have a life is the best investment you can make in your relationship with them. 

Day spa – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_spa

A day spa is a business which provides a variety of services for the purpose of improving health, beauty and relaxation through personal care treatments such as massages and facials. 

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m late for my 10.30 appointment.