How Leaders Should Follow The News

Women, kidnapped years ago, are found alive.

Wildfires.

The latest big trial.

These are just a few examples of the types of stories that regularly captivate people and dominate the news. Every week seems to bring big news that we must watch or read.

The news media is, after all, in the advertising business. They do the best job they can to entice us to watch and read their latest “top story." And while the number of viewing options have grown and the number of ways to consume the news has changed, we are still watching.

Yep, that’s us, watching and reading the news.

I’ve found that people have a variety of opinions about the news. Ranging from “I need to stay on top of what’s going on.” to “I don’t want to watch any of it – it depresses me.” Many purveyors of positive thinking and time management advice lean toward the later response. Either “Don’t watch it because it is all negative.” or “Watching it is largely a waste of time.”

I agree with both of those viewpoints… to a point.

As leaders, regardless what group or organization we are leading, we need to have an understanding of what is going on around us. We need to be informed, aware, and observant. As leaders, we must have inputs that inform us about the world around us so that we can make (or help others make) better decisions. But too much news is a waste of time and could possibly dampen your positive thinking or outlook.

What is my answer to this balancing act then?

I can only accurately tell you what I try to do to walk this balance beam. Consider these six strategies:

Limit your input

Think of your news input like a part of your thinking diet (which it is). Determine what you need to know, then turn it off, or turn the page. One way to do this is to use some technology from email to newsfeeds or whatever to get headlines. Headlines may be all you need for awareness in some cases. This also means not getting sucked into long watercooler conversations about the news of the day that don’t serve you or your thinking.

Pick key sources

Pick news source(s) you find helpful. Along with general news, think about what you need for your business or work. That might mean The Wall Street Journal or a daily source in your industry. Picking key sources helps you limit total intake, too.

Choose different first daily inputs

The first thoughts of your day are extra important. Don’t make the negative news of the day be your first input.

Look for the positives

The news media leads with negative because negative sells (remember what business they are in). That doesn’t mean there aren’t positives – it just means we may need to look for them. Consider this good practice – the practice of looking for opportunities that exist is every challenge or problem.

Think critically about what you read/watch

Don’t just take it in. Think about whether or not you agree with the assertions, conclusions, or perspectives of the reporters. What are the implications for you and your organization? Ask yourself “What is the message and importance of this to us in our business, community, etc.?”

Look for learning

How can you use this information? How does it connect to your experience? Specifically, as a leader, what are you seeing leaders do well that you would like to emulate in your world? What do you want to avoid completely? When you watch the news through this mental filter, it isn't a time waster at all. It is real-time learning.

Regardless of your current news consumption habits, I hope this has been helpful. Think about the news as an opportunity for information, but also thinking and learning. Leaders are synthesizers of news, not just consumers of it.