Good management makes for better journalism
The editor of the local newspaper Gjesdalbuen is convinced of this: Because a clear and empathetic leader makes for employees who thrive and work better. But how has leadership development actually helped Hilde Anette Ebbesvik (29) become a better leader?
By Rita Tvede Bartolomei
- I've gained a much greater awareness of what the role of a leader means. About how to be a good role model, how to achieve good communication, and how I help to lead in a good direction. It's clear that good leadership has a positive impact on the editorial product," says Hilde Anette.
In August 2021, she began an 8-month talent program under the auspices of her employer Amedia. All employees in the media group were given the opportunity to apply. In the end, 24 people were selected to participate in the talent program with FRONT Leadership.
Challenged mindset and behavior
In January 2022, Hilde Anette Ebbesvik started as acting editor and general manager of Gjesdalbuen (the local newspaper for Gjesdal municipality in Rogaland). Prior to this leadership role, she was deputy news manager for Jærbladet. The time frame for the course enabled her to begin her leadership development both before, during and after her new management job.
- That combination gave me a lot of useful experience. The talent program was structured in such a way that I received valuable input and feedback from several sources: From the leadership developer in FRONT, my own manager, the other participants in the talent program and the people who work with me on a daily basis," she says.
The fact that the talent program lasted several months (and was not an intensive crash course) was particularly beneficial, she says.
- I was able to adopt new habits and ways of being over time. After all, changes take a long time. There has been a lot of instructive self-examination along the way. Leadership development challenges your mindset and way of being. It will always be challenging, but it's also very interesting. We worked on what we needed to get better at. We didn't just gain new knowledge," she says.
"There has been a lot of instructive self-examination along the way"
Hilde Anette Ebbesvik
Read more: Talent development in focus at Amedia
No dry lectures - lots of concrete learning
Hilde Anette points out that the leadership development has been understandable and recognizable. She praises FRONT Leadership's leadership developer, Stine Melfald, for being direct and clear.
- Stine was very good. She gave us practical, useful tools and tasks. We really haven't been served long, dry lectures. The course has also been combined with good discussions, where we have shared our own experiences. All the theory has been carefully selected according to what I have needed in my everyday life," she says.
"Participants say they have become much better at understanding how they affect the people around them"
Stine Melfald
Stine Melfald says that as leadership developers, they are very keen to involve the participants: This makes it easier for them to develop their leadership skills. Only in this way can good professionals be prepared to become good leaders.
- Participants say they have become much better at understanding how they affect the people around them. They dare to enter into tougher conversations, and they feel that they are doing it in the right way. The talent program helps participants to be more successful in a future leadership role, and that's what we want them to do," she says.
Leadership development should provide as much concrete, practical knowledge as possible. Following the participants in the talent program over a period of time also ensures that they get enough learning for the role they are about to take on: What are their strengths, and what do they see as a challenge they need to work on?
"We base the learning on their own experiences in their everyday work life"
Stine Melfald
- "We base the learning on their own experiences in their everyday work life. When we meet again at the sessions in Oslo, we will reflect a lot on what they have succeeded with and what has been difficult to achieve," says Stine.
Read about leadership developer Stine Melfald
Controlling management takes the spark out of people
If you are a poor leader of an editorial team, it will affect the editorial product. Because when employees don't feel seen and heard, they perform less well.
- "It's not positive to be a leader who makes people feel controlled and loses the spark at work," she says.
- Have there been any extra challenges with being both a new leader and a young leader?
- "The editorial team I joined is young, with an average age of around 30, and I've been very well received by my colleagues. Fortunately, I haven't found that being young has been a challenge," says Hilde Anette.
As good a leader without leadership training?
Does Hilde Anette think she would have become as good a leader without the leadership training through the talent program?
- No, I don't think so," she replies.
She thinks it's fantastic that Amedia is investing in developing good leaders, and she encourages the media group to continue to do so:
- "It's so important to give leadership a boost. It's been great to be involved," says Hilde Anette Ebbesvik.
However, clarity is important as a leader, and it can be difficult to know what the right path to take is," she says.
- Perhaps you realize along the way that you made the wrong choice and have to try another direction. In some cases, this can be perceived as "wobbly". But I've said that I'd rather adjust than make an abrupt choice as a new leader. That's the only way I can try out what works best," she says.