The MIWs are group managers, regional/cluster managers, departmental managers, publishers, creative consultants, leaders within industry organizations and corporate directors. During the course of our careers we’ve all received advice from various sources. We polled the MIWs and asked “what’s the best single piece of advice that you’ve ever received?” Some of us were so excited that we provided more than one. Read on…

The single best piece of advice that I've ever received came from someone I worked for in the radio business when I was in my early 20's. It was this: when it comes to important, meaningful decisions, never make a hasty, gut-based decision. Keep yourself from making the decision for at least two days, asking questions in the meantime and trying to keep emotion from influencing the outcome. Once the decision is made, however, put the decision into action RIGHT away. Never put off something (no matter how difficult or upsetting) once you have decided to do it. No one can make good decisions 100% of the time. But if you stick to this process, your percentage of good decisions will always be greater than bad decisions. This concept has had tremendous influence on my career since the time that I heard it and I have always tried to pass this advice on as it applies not only to business decisions, but to life decisions.
Michele Grosenick
VP/Market Manager
Clear Channel Radio Seattle

"Take your work seriously, but don't take yourself too seriously," and its corollary, "Always keep a sense of humor about you." These bits of advice have gotten me through all the ups and downs of the radio business, and much to my surprise, have turned out to be key to any success I've had.
Corinne Baldassano
President
Translucent Media

Two pieces of advice come to mind. The first is a personal piece of advice that my dad gave to me when I was learning to drive. He told me that once you decide to pull out, don’t stop and whatever you do, don’t hesitate. Little did I know then that that piece of advice applies to much more than driving. When you commit, go for it and don’t hesitate. The second piece of advice was to control the selling situation at all times. Once you allow the other person to control your sales pitch, it’s no longer yours; it’s theirs. Sounds obvious, but from time to time we all forget and lose control.
Cindy Schloss
VP/Market Manager
Entercom Kansas City

"Never quit." My mother.
Lisa Decker
Regional VP/Infinity
Radio Western Mid-size Markets

There are times when circumstances can cause one to lose her confidence, feel lonely, dejected and sorry for oneself. On occasion one can just feel burnt out, and lose her drive. Once, I was sitting drinking tea with an old spirit who looked me in my eyes and said that I was smiling but my eyes were very sad. I began to explain some of the circumstances that had occurred. What this old spirit told me had such great impact that it literally changed my life, and whenever I feel down, I lean back on these words:

"Love Yourself. Sometimes it's good not to fit in. Sometimes, it's good to be laughed at, ridiculed and rejected. For you see, these times help you keep your focus. You don't NEED anyone but the Lord. Trust not on your own understanding, just lean on Him. He'll give you strength and courage back more abundantly. He'll fight your battles for you. And, another thing, He doesn't like anyone messing with His children. You see, the stone that the builders rejected turned out to be the corner stone." God's plan for you is bigger than anything you can imagine. So go back in there, hold your head up. This battle is not yours, it's the Lord's." Even now, as I write this, I continue to draw strength from this advice.
Aleta Mary Ware
Regional Director, Marketing and New Business Development
American Urban Radio Networks

“When you're ranked Number One, act as if you're tenth, and when tenth act as if you're Number One."

This attitude never fails at the station level, and can prove that "The Good Guys" can finish first, but also reminds you to fly the flag proudly regardless of what hand you've been dealt in a given book, quarter, etc. In more global terms, it is also a reminder that Radio needs to claim bragging rights for what we do well, promote the medium, and refuse to act like the red-headed stepchild of the media industries.
Mary Bennett
EVP/Marketing
Radio Advertising Bureau

Never forget what it is like to work FOR somebody.
Mary Quass
President/CEO
NewRadio Group,LLC

Nine little words from my dad have guided me my entire life: “Work hard; be fair; do some good for people.”
Amy Rosenthal (formerly Waggoner)
President/GM
ABC Radio Minneapolis

"Be attitudinally flexible. Keep your mind open to explore other options." Prof. Esther Wagner, Pitzer College
Mary Beth Garber
President
Southern California Broadcasters Assn

“50 years from now it won’t matter.”
- A reminder from my mom which helps keep things in perspective.
Denise Oliver
Oliver Media

While Nike made it famous, my mother, Rita Buttolph, said it first: “Just Do It!” That, and "what's the worst someone can say, no?" were the two pearls of wisdom that started my career.
Ruth Presslaff
President
Presslaff Interactive Revenue

Best advice ever received: Trust your instincts.
Kim Guthrie
Regional VP
Cox Radio

The best piece of advice I have ever received is to not get upset by things you cannot control. It is such a simple concept and applies to every part of one's life. It can take a while to put it to practice, but I can absolutely vouch for it working. The next time a co-worker drives you nuts, or you are standing in a long line at an airport or your life partner doesn't handle a situation the same way you would, repeat this line to yourself. It really does work and will save you a lot of aggravation!
Erica Farber
Publisher/CEO
Radio & Records

Best advice I learned and can give? First, never burn a bridge. Regardless of how horrible a situation might be, remove yourself gracefully...head up and mouth shut.

Second, one of my salespeople at my Harrisburg, PA station used to say, "You never know who's behind you on the Staten Island Ferry." How true. Watch what you say and to whom you say it.
Carol Logan
President
Forever Broadcasting

The best piece of advice that I have incorporated into my business practice was probably something that I picked up from a business book. Namely, “don't sweat the small stuff.” Stay focused on “the big stuff”...like your goals. It is so easy to be diverted with small tasks or small “fires” that can be tempered or overcome when the big goals are accomplished. If your goal, like mine, is to develop new business then it is really important to focus your time and energy on seeking out and uncovering opportunities. In the radio business it’s so easy to be diverted and pulled into arenas that take you away from focusing on the goals you have set out to achieve. Nobody will fault you for missing a task if you have achieved the goals that you and your management have set.
Debbie Durben
President
Interep Marketing Group

The best piece of advice I ever received was to trust my instincts. The advice was given when I was considering a job offer that looked great on paper but something was holding me back. So I trusted my instincts, stayed where I was and, in hindsight, made the best decision!
Nancy Vaeth
Senior Vice President/Regional Manager
Susquehanna Radio

For me, the best piece of advice came from a number of people in my life, including my parents, who in one form or another have told me that you can't take away your track record for honesty and integrity. It has been the underlying "guide" to everything I've ever done, both professionally and personally.
Joan Gerberding
Former President
Nassau Media Partners

Always deal with what is IMPORTANT first. There is often a difference between the “important” and the “urgent”. Urgent matters are rarely the most important you face.
Kathy Stinehour
Market Manager
Cumulus Broadcasting Toledo

Here are a few things that have helped me:
"Always be honest with yourself."
"Commit to excellence."
"Do what you love, love what you do."
"The Best way to predict the future is too create it."

And the best advice I received was to hire and surround yourself with the absolute best people, even when they're smarter than you.
Bonnie Press
President
Katz Dimensions

From Columbia University honors professor Mark Van Doren, who taught from 1920 to 1959 and was a Professor Emeritus from 1959 until his death in 1972:

"There are two statements about human beings that are true: that all human beings are alike, and that all are different. On those two facts all human wisdom is founded.”

"Nothing in man is more serious than his sense of humor; it is the sign that he wants all the truth.”
Jaye Albright
Partner,
Albright & O'Malley Country Consulting/RadioIQ