Lost in the shuffle

The local web blogs have been abuzz about Doc Thompson. He was brought in to Cincinnati from Virginia to be a talk show host on the lead radio station, bought a house, got married (his fiancé had relocated with him) and was fired while on his honeymoon. “Wow! How would it feel to be him?”

Can’t be good. But, he’s been in radio for a while and understands the ratings game. He still has a job with the company, broadcasting in a smaller market where he does pretty well. In the hardball world of media, this is not that bad.

While many are bemoaning his fate, someone else is lost in the shuffle. One thing that precipitated the relocation/hiring of Thompson was the firing of Eddie Fingers by a corporate executive. This was not a ratings thing as he was doing okay. It was somewhat personal.

I have found that to be more the rule than the exception in business. More people are fired or driven off over personality conflicts than for performance. By the same token, underproducers are retained because they’re team players, well-liked, etc.

With the termination of Thompson, Fingers was brought back. This was made possible by the apparent firing of the guy who had let him go. That’s the guy I wonder about.

It’s one thing to lose your job over ratings, an objective measurement. I’m sure that isn’t easy, especially with the new house and wife, but at least Thompson still has his other gig. The other case is more interesting. You terminate an employee in a situation where acrimony plays a role, according to Fingers. Down the road a little bit, you’re out and the guy you axed comes gaily marching down Main Street and back into his position. Now, you’re out and he’s in.

I don’t know who’s “right” or “wrong” in that situation, but it’s gotta smart.