January 13, 2009

When you're told something consequential, that you simply must share and discuss with someone, who do you call?
Whose phone number is the first one you dial.... your spouse, a friend, your lawyer, your boss or, perhaps, your parents?

I remember hearing CNN's Larry King telling an interviewer that when anything eventful happens... no matter what it might be... the first phone call he makes is always to the CNN office.
After that, he says he'll call his wife.
He said if there was an earthquake in his hometown, he'd call CNN, then call home.
Hmmm... let's see... Larry's been married what, eight times?
Maybe that calling priority offers a hint as to why.

Just the other day Terry Bulger, my pal at the TV station, was told that management would like to switch him over full time to the sports department.
They felt they could utilize his notable talent as a storyteller, and also have him share some of the sportscaster duties with Rudy Kalis.
It would be a big change for Terry, after nearly 19 years doing daily news features for which he's been nationally recognized and honored.

It was neither good nor bad news for Terry.... but significant news, since it would definitely impact his work schedule.

By that afternoon I had already been informed of the change, though it was not yet common knowledge among everyone in the TV station.
As I passed Terry in the employee's food lounge, I quietly asked, "So what do you think, are you OK with everything?"

Here's how he answered me:
"I'll drop by your office later and talk to you about it, but I don't feel it would be right to even discuss it until I can reach Julie (his wife) and tell her."
An hour or so later, after he'd finally reached Julie, he came by my office to talk over the changes.

Terry's a guy who undoubtedly has his "discussion priorities" in the proper order.
I don't think any wife or husband wants to be second on the list of who their spouse might choose to discuss things that could affect a family's life and routine.

I hope Larry King reads this and takes heed.
He can thank me (and Terry) later.

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