What makes a great leader?
by Tom Gayda

There probably isn’t a perfect leader anywhere. There probably isn’t a perfect anything, anywhere. But imagine if we were charged with creating the perfect leader, one made specifically for leading a high school publications staff. Think of the possibilities as we play Dr. Frankenstein.

Back to reality, that will never happen. However, if it did, I think a perfect student editor might look a little something like this. . .

BRAIN -- A strong student leader not be the greatest reporter or designer or photographer. While those attributes certainly don’t hurt, a top-notch editor is one who thinks on his feet. He can point others in the right direction.

Thought is given to each situation. Patience is a virtue. Even if not the most skilled journalist, the editor is capable enough in all areas to help others.

The brain might be the most important part of a student leader, as it will control all of the other functions the body needs to perform. We’ve all heard about a chicken with it’s head cut off, with no brain we’d have a similar situation on our hands.

An editor must keep in mind his reputation. While we all make mistakes from time-to-time, an editor must try to be careful not to be in positions that could question their integrity. Going to a party is OK, but an editor should try to avoid illegal activities. It is hard for a story about underage drinking to be taken seriously when everyone knows the biggest partier at school is editor of the newspaper. And how can a staff take their leader seriously when his reputation is less than stellar?

The brain helps an editor maintain a calm tone. While passion is needed, an editor can keep his temper in check and think before acting too fast.

An editor is also able to understand the personalities of his staff members and manage them accordingly. Two alpha-males may not make the best team, so the editor composes the staff in a way so everyone can be successful.

Having an innovative brain is a way an editor stays ahead in the game. An editor is always thinking about content and presentation. An editor is clever with a mind that is constantly ticking.
EYES -- Our perfect leader would have 20/20 vision.   This leader would also have the ability to have foresight and see possible outcomes to various situations.

The eyes lead to several other editor obligations. An editor must keep watch over his class. Additionally, the editor should praise the staff when he sees good things happening. Honest praise, be it verbal or written, is always appreciated by a dedicated staff.

An outstanding editor also has an eye for detail. We revisit the fact that an editor not be an expert in every area, however an editor should know what to watch for. A basic knowledge of journalistic style and design are a necessity.

MOUTH -- Ah, the ability to speak well. This is an area an editor needs to excel at. Without strong communication skills, a staff will falter fast. The editor is the de-facto mouthpiece of a staff.

The mouth allows an editor to praise publicly and criticize in private. An editor’s words should be final. They are also the voice of reason when the staff has conflict.

An effective editor clearly communicates his expectations and goals. Room for interpretation is rare, as the editor has a vision and the staff understands this. If a reporter is to do a story about the football team, the editor or his designee has it made it clear what the purpose and angle of the story are, so the reporter is able to do her best work.

EARS -- The ability to listen is a life-long skill an editor best perfect. Sometimes people get to caught up in what they want to say next, so they never really listen. A journalist must be able to hear what is being said and process it. By far, this is the top skill an excellent reporter needs.

The ears are near the brain, and when it comes to the anatomy of a excellent leader, this makes perfect sense. An editor must be engaged with others before making a decision or answering a question.

HEART -- It is difficult to say any parts of a strong editor are better than another, but without heart there is nothing. Heart is perhaps the most symbolic of all the body parts.

The editor needs to be the heartbeat of the staff and keep a finger on the pulse of what is going on with the staff and at school. A perfect editor has a strong passion to create the best product each and every time. He doesn’t compete with other high school publications or staff members, he competes with himself to always improve each and every time.

When staff morale is down, the editor motivates. He is willing to do any task he asks of another staff member. He picks up the pieces after a conflict, and when someone else drops the ball, he takes over and finishes the job. The perfect editor should be the hardest working person on staff each and every day.

GUTS -- While technically not a real part of the body, an editor must have guts to handle the tough issues. An editor has the guts to pursue a controversial story and defend their staffs when needed.

No one wants to follow a coward. A staff needs someone they can get behind. Why, it takes guts just to be the editor-in-chief. It is often a thankless job but an important one. When considering the most important people in a school building, one might mention the principal, the student council president of the football team’s quarterback.

In reality, an editor-in-chief is one of the most important people. A newspaper editor sets the discussion for that day or week based on the content of the paper. A yearbook editor controls the memories we will have years from now. The job of editor-in-chief is arguably the most important student position available in a school.

SPINE -- No one wants to be told to get a spine, but the editor is the backbone of the paper and needs to be able to handle the bad that comes with the good.

Student publications will have critics. And at times, the critics will be harsh. New staff members might be hurt when readers attack, so a great editor will be a source of comfort to a wounded ego. At the same time, an editor will stand up for the paper and accept responsibility for mistakes when they occur. At times an apology may be hard to deliver, but a great editor does so humbly.

HANDS -- An editor doesn’t need just need any old pair of hands, he needs a pair of hands that aren’t afraid to get dirty. An editor can’t be afraid to get down in the trenches and perform the tasks he asks of others.

The hands represent all of the hardwork that goes into producing a student publication.  An editor leads by example. A staff is not likely to complain about their leader when he is dedicated and on-duty all of the time.

We’ve heard that phrase about idle hands. An editor’s hands are never idle, and a strong editor will have assignments to keep his staff busy, too.

FEET -- Sitting still isn’t really an option for a great editor. Not only must an editor encompass all of the characteristics already mentioned, he most be able to do all of those things on the move. During the typical day an editor will be pushed and pulled in a variety of directions. The ability to multi-task is a must. The butt isn’t one of the parts an excellent editor needs, because he shouldn’t plan to have time for much sitting. An editor is always on the go, problem-solving, goal-setting and coaching. An editor’s work is really never done.

And of course, an editor must think on his feet!
A truly great editor is not a harsh leader, they are someone who is based upon all of their parts. A respected leader is a definite voice for the staff, yet listens and is part of the team.

Responsibility is another major component of a successful student editor. That is a non-negotiable trait, as is being organized. It is certainly not easy staying organized in a publications room, but it is important. Organized chaos is organized at least!

Finally, follow-through is a key characteristic for a leader. An editor will lose support quickly if he says one thing and does another — or does nothing at all.