""Editing is as much about knowing and growing your team as it is about elevating their copy," said Kathleen McGrory, an editor with The New York Times Local Investigations Fellowship. "As an editor, a key part of your job is understanding what makes your reporters tick and helping them reach their goals beyond any one story. It requires open communication, deep trust and really listening.""
""When I became an editor, I tried to mimic what I'd seen from my editors, which meant I did a lot of talking, jumping in and telling people what to do, sending them off quickly, feeling like I was racing the clock always," said Maria Carrillo, a consultant and retired Tampa Bay Times editor. "But I learned how important it is to slow down (even a little) and listen.""
""Take the time to build relationships across the newsroom, especially when you're not on deadline and in need of something," said Tom Huang, the workshop's lead faculty and assistant managing editor for journalism initiatives at The Dallas Morning News. "View your role as helping lead the newsroom, not just your team. Lean into difficult conversations, but be kind in all you do.""
Editing involves knowing and growing your team as much as improving their copy. Editors should understand what motivates reporters and help them reach career goals beyond individual stories. Reading copy all the way through (often on paper) before intervening helps preserve author voice. Slowing down and listening yields the most valuable editorial contributions by revealing what reporters have gathered. Building relationships across the newsroom during nondeadline times strengthens collaboration and access during pressure. Editors should view their role as leading the newsroom, leaning into difficult conversations while remaining kind.
Read at Poynter
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