Quiet on the front.

Two months in, still haven't figured out 'what's going on'. To be truthful, haven't started trying yet. Plus I think its best to keep low for awhile so my old place can find its footing.
But now that we're back from a fantastic break in Europe, its time to start trolling.
First question: How do I feel about traditional media? How does traditional media feel about me now?

How I said goodbye to the viewers.

So here we are.

About a decade ago when I came back home from the States to start building Global National I spent two weeks alone driving Canada, stopping at all the in between places to listen and learn what sensible everyday Canadians were thinking. I knew I needed to reconnect.

At one point on that drive I thought to myself, “I better think about how I’ll want to sign-off. It seems to be something Anchors need to figure out.”. We’re Canadians, so a polite “thank you” seemed right. I wanted to share the news, not broadcast it at you. And I knew you were always busy at the dinner hour - so “sharing your time” seemed appropriate. And sharing it with “us” was important because I wanted you to appreciate that the real strength of our newscast has been our small and incredibly dedicated team of storytellers.

And Its a good thing I took the time then to think those things through, because the past ten years have been so busy.

Two wars, the rise of suicide attacks, a financial crash, a devastating tsunami, earthquakes. So much misery and destruction. But also joy. Laughing with young African Americans on Obamas election night. Hockey with our troops in Afghanistan. Being inspired by Everyday Heroes. Singing O Canada with a full heart alongside joyous Canadians at the Olympics. And so many uplifting Revolutions - in politics, communications, and science.

That you’ve been willing to listen to my stories is the greatest gift of my professional life. They havent always been as thorough as Id like, but I want you to know I always approached them with empathy, honesty, and a strong sense of what my ethical duty is to you. I have respected your trust in me and never taken it lightly.

I have no idea if this is the last you’ll see of me. I hope not. I have many more stories to tell. But in case it is, I hope you’ll understand if I publicly thank my family who has made it possible for me to feed my curiosity for the past thirty years in journalism. My parents and sisters who watched and worried about me. My children Alex and Erica who shared their father with a demanding profession. In spite of my absences they grew to be loving, independent, and accomplished adults. And that is mostly because of my wife Cathy. She has shouldered so much family responsibility and time alone. And been by my side for every career high and low. I haven’t been very good at showing up for things in this job. Now, honey, for a little while anyway, you can count on me.

Thank you to Global for the opportunity to be part of something new and worthy. Thank you to my brothers and sisters at Global National.  I hope we’re always friends. But most of all - thank YOU for sharing your time with me.

How to say Goodbye.

If you haven't left a job recently I highly recommend it. People say the nicest things!
I'm as guilty as the next person of leaving too many things unsaid until the last minute. But I am trying to say them now, as are many others. A departure puts thing into a much bigger frame; suddenly the small annoyances are just that, small. And what emerges from the larger canvas is the sweep of time, the lessons learned, and the impact people have had over years instead of minutes. Sometimes it takes longer to put an experience or a person into its place in your life. Sometimes it takes months or years after they're gone to more fully appreciate them.
I've finished writing my final thoughts for Friday's broadcast. I've done this several times over my career and learned one thing: the moment always surprises and overwhelmes me. This Friday, behind the camera I'll be reading my goodbye into, will be some of the people who have had the most impact on Global National. They're coming to Ottawa to bid me farewell and begin the process of renewal with Dawna. When I left Midday at the CBC I was a blubbering fool by the end of it. When I left Good Morning America I taped a farewell that had me bungy jumping. (allegory for something less dangerous than hosting a morning show!). When I bid a private farewell to ABC and Peter Jennings gave me a gift of an American flag I was speechless. This time the departure is much more personal and difficult. I won't get through it with some of the people who I care most deeply for watching off-camera. I think I'll record it early.

Lessons Learned - so far.

I'm certain this is only a first draft. The lessons I think I've learned these past ten years will change with distance from them. So consider this an initial effort.

People respond best when work is rooted in values they believe in. Help define them.
Listen well. Don't feel the need to fill the silences as others process ideas.
Share whatever surprises come your way and give back to those who have contributed.
Tame perfectionism. Not everyone shares the same level of drive and commitment.
You cannot communicate enough in virtual organizations. Building power with secrecy is easy.
Some will use your name to advance their careers and damage yours.
Love your staff. Reward loyalty.
Apply the lessons you learn.

First Principles.

In the winter of 2001 I was talking to a lot of people to gather ideas for what would become Global National. Eventually four quotes resonated loudest with me:

From George Browne, GN's Founding Executive Producer, on how to re-enforce distinctiveness:

"Show me something I haven't seen. Tell me something I didn't know."

From a Globe & Mail editor on why the National Post (at that time) was building circulation rapidly:

"I think what attracts me to the Post is the element of surprise. Every day it does something that is somewhat unique; it makes me raise an eyebrow. It treats me as if I'm intelligent, but edgy. It writes about news and finance and sports, but also sex and entertainment. And it does it with wit and freshness".

From pollster Conrad Winn on Global News' brand identity at the time and our challenge:
"Global News is a very nice place to have a weak cup of coffee. If I were you I'd figure out a way to make espresso" 

My first e-mail to Global staff on the day I was appointed, Februray 4, 2001. I wanted to define the mission.
"We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine what national news is in Canada. To merely duplicate what the others do would be wrong and a terrible waste of opportunity. We must be original. We must be distinctive. We must find ways to be more authentic in the hearts and minds of our viewers."

Tough Landscape

As I start meeting with everyone I can think of to talk about what could be next for me, I'm learning how difficult the landscape is for anyone trying to finance in-depth documentaries. I've enjoyed helping produce them these last few years, but the deal I had with Global for them runs out pretty soon. I was at dinner last night with an old friend from my ABC News days who worked closely with Peter Jennings on his award-winning docs. And she was telling me interest in them has pretty much dried up on conventional US Networks. Canada's a little better, but shrinking just as rapidly it seems. Others I've spoken with who have long experience at 60 Minutes, Frontline, and Dateline can't sell an hour for the life of them right now. The only independent production that's being green-lighted are Reality Shows of every kind. Which is a fine way to pay the bills. But what I like about docs are they expose viewers to ideas and things they hadn't considered. They're surprising and the best kind of 'Reality TV' there is. Perhaps its the way they're being produced. A little too sleepy? Lots more people to speak with.

Regrets

I didn't accomplish everything I'd hoped to at Global National.
Here are some of my failures:
1. We ask more from our staff of correspondents and photojournalists than anywhere else I've worked in TV. The earliest national news deadline in North America with the fewest resources.  Yet our pay standards are an industry low and inconsistent among our team.
2. I was never able to convince the union and company to adopt a professional development culture than meant we could move our staff within Canada without them having to lose seniority and their pension status.
3. While we made some progress, I felt our million nightly viewers weren't as valued internally as entertainment shows with a fraction of those numbers and less prestige upside to the brand.
4. Has the 'questioning culture' and  mission "to tell viewers something they didn't know, show them something they haven't seen" survived?
5.  Format came to dominate inventive storytelling over time.