Team Building
"Buenos Dias," is how I greet the Tower room every morning. Building a fun atmosphere while helping others develop their skills is what I strive for as both a leader and a journalist. Here are a few examples of what I have done with my fellow staff members.
Editor Announcements
One of my favorite ways to start off Tower is a simple ‘good morning.’ Everyday EICs will go up to the front of the class and do an overview of what tasks need to be completed for the day, such as sign-ups, Tower Thursdays and check-ins. However, as seen in the images above, sometimes I dress up to help brighten my staff member’s days. So far I have dressed-up as a jellyfish, ostrich, skier, pirate, cowboy and in pjs. Bringing some sillness into the newsroom helps to make a more collaborative and freeing atmosphere, so my fellow staff members feel more comfortable being themselves.
"Webbies"
As a primary web editor, I have some staff that work directly with the website and help edit and prepare posts. My co-editor and I wanted to establish a web culture and it began by nicknaming ourselves ‘Webbies.’ It is a humorous title to call ourselves, but it helped ease some tension and brought our team closer together. To ensure communication across the whole team, we have web meetings and daily texts to make sure everyone understands the assignment. Our commitment to cultivating a team has helped us to create a harmonious and efficient team.
Web Corner
The Web Corner is a spot in the Tower newsroom where my co-editor and I specifically sit in reality. However, to the Tower staff, it’s a place where they can come to for advice, pitch ideas, or come for service whenever they need it. Every day during editor announcements my co-editor and I remind them that we will always make time for them. I love talking to my fellow staff, helping them through challenges or even just joking around with them. I want to make a loving Tower culture, and providing a safe space for staff members is the first step to helping it come into fruition.
