Safety First

Management coach extraordinaire Jill Geisler hits the mark today in her regular podcast for the Poynter Institute. She's talking about how smart managers can benefit from creating a "Safe Venting Zone" for themselves.

(A link to Jill's management blog, "Leading Lines," can be found on the left rail of this page, just a few scrolls down).

Jill recognizes that everyone can get overwhelmed sometimes and need to blow off some steam -- even the most competent and creative executives. As Jill describes it:

"Used properly, your Safe Venting Zone provides you with ideas, solutions and a little therapy. In the Zone, you are away from your staff and in the company of a highly qualified partner."

Jill addresses the need for confidentiality and discretion, vital qualities to keep a "Safe Venting Zone" safe.

Jill adds: "Great bosses know that even blowing off steam needs to be done strategically or it can be self-defeating. That's especially the case when bosses choose to vent to their employees."

She's specifically writing about newsroom managers, but everyone can benefit from planning a safe place to vent.

You can read more from Jill here. And link to the podcast here.

One more thing: Happy Birthday, Jill!