3 Professional Lessons From Journalism

As technological advances accelerate, our attention becomes the internet’s most sought-after resource, and professionals must adapt their work and communication. Christopher Saul of Mid Bay News recently provided guidance to aspiring young journalists at Niceville High School. Applicable beyond the field of journalism, Saul’s three recommendations focus on strategies and skills essential for any professional.

The Three Lessons

1) Leverage AI as a Tool

Artificial intelligence (AI) should be viewed as a useful tool, not something to be feared. According to Saul, AI “will never replace the personal relationships and trust that good journalists need to uncover big scoops and blow the lid off investigative stories. In fact, it gives us more time to do just that!”

2) Acknowledge Bias

Bias—it’s good to recognize that you have one! By acknowledging your own biases, which Saul says we have “because of our very humanity,” you can become a better, independent reporter able to objectively and fairly report the facts.

3) Listen to Learn

Listening, more than talking, is a critical skill for success in journalism (and elsewhere). Saul recommends “to become intentional about listening to anyone and everyone to understand their viewpoint–instead of listening to respond.”

In an interview with the New York Times, psychologist Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky argues that adopting a ‘listening to learn’ mindset shifts “your focus from responding to understanding.” Developing this skill requires you not to interrupt others, not dish out advice (unless asked), and ask follow-up questions, like “Tell me more.”

Attention Worth Fighting For

When the largest companies in the world design applications (we depend upon) to extract value from our precious attention, Friends of Attention argue that a machine cannot measure true attention. “The fullness of our authentic human attention, shared with others, is the power with which we make the world. It’s worth fighting for.”

It’s worth fighting against internet enshittification by promoting responsible journalism and content focused on human thought leadership. Aspiring journalists and small business owners can leverage AI not to replace their jobs, but to facilitate their work by freeing up time otherwise spent on mundane tasks. Professionals can also use applications and platforms, intentionally designed to counter the trend of enshittification by removing attention-seeking ads, to share their work.

Humility Leads to Growth

Acknowledging your biases and prejudices, because we all have them, signals that you possess humility, which means you are capable of changing your mindset when presented with new evidence and/or experiences.

Awareness is empowering. According to organizational psychologist Adam Grant, all professionals who can “balance confidence with humility and put their missions above their egos” are on the right track to excel in their careers. 

Grant also writes, “The cure for ignorance is not information, it’s humility and curiosity. Facts can be easily dismissed. What motivates people to gain insight is recognizing gaps in their understanding and wanting to find out more. The root of lifelong learning is knowing how little we know.”

Summary

We can strengthen our human connections (attention) by actively listening, acknowledging bias, practicing humility, and leveraging technology to improve efficiency—and not replace original thought. These skills will serve a professional well in any setting or industry throughout their careers.

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