We all need mentors, and I have been fortunate to have some great ones. I met one of them for lunch while he was in town this week. His name is Gary Gerlach, and he was one of my bosses for many years, presiding over numerous publishing companies including Partnership Press, Midwest Newspapers and New West Newspapers. Prior to that he was publisher of The Des Moines Register and served as the company’s general counsel. His resume certainly doesn’t stop there, and neither do his admirable qualities. Gary is a brilliant man who is full of positive energy and enthusiasm, and he has a deep desire to help others learn, even while into his retirement. I could write a book about all the things I have learned from Gary, but here are a few nuggets that I thought you might enjoy:
1. “Try not to look in the rearview mirror.” I once asked Gary about a newspaper he had sold, and he gave me that response. Learn from the past, but always look ahead, he told me. That proved to be great advice that stuck with me.
2. “Show that you can take care of what you have before you ask for more.” I took over the management of some underperforming companies for Gary through the years, often on a shoestring budget. I knew what I had to do. But as those companies showed profits, he showed not only a willingness, but a desire, to invest in them for more growth. In fact, he expected me to ask for more. But first I had to show a growth trend and an ability to properly manage the companies. That was an important lesson in personal responsibility… and rewards.
3. “There are three things to look for in employees: loyalty, hard work and talent — and in that order.” Talent is useless if not directly properly, he would tell me. Talent with hard work is a good combination, but only if the employee’s goals are in line with the company’s goals. Talent, hard work and loyalty are the winning combination. Loyalty is not blind faith, he would say, but rather a true commitment to work toward mutual goals.
4. “Our mission is to publish newspapers we are proud of, to make money and to have fun — and not necessarily in that order.” He said if you can’t be proud of your work, then you should find something else to do that you can be proud of. You should want to make more money personally, he said, and you should want your employer to make more money, too. The two go hand in hand. And through it all, you should be able to work with a genuine smile on your face and have fun. He led by example with that attitude, and from what I saw in him this week, he continues to do so.
I hope these pieces of advice connect with you like they have for me. Feel free to share with others, as I know Gary would approve.
Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
