The first keynote session of the Maynard Communities of Practice, “Leading Through Change,” packed a punch.

It captured core facets of the program’s mission: strengthening a community of peers through sharing of expertise, best practices, diverse perspectives and open conversation.

Experienced news executive, consultant and coach Maria Carrillo shared her key advice and toolkits to help media professionals “rise to the moment.”

“It’s important for journalists to find strength and purpose in their mission, in this difficult and rapidly evolving media landscape,” Carrillo said.

Director of the Maynard Communities of Practice Odette Alcazaren-Keeley welcomed the entire cohort to the virtual keynote dialogue. She introduced Carrillo, a long-standing faculty lead and mentor for the Institute, and currently serves as lead advisor for the Maynard Managers Community.

She stressed the initiative’s vital role in this fraught time marked by “global conflict, attacks on journalism & journalists, defunding of institutions, assault on First Amendment rights, increased media consolidation and rapid technological change.”

“This keynote session is one of many program offerings that help members to navigate ongoing volatility, seize opportunities, deliver impact and lead with resilience. We continue to invite all Maynard Institute alumni to join and elevate the Maynard Communities of Practice with their exceptional work. We stand stronger together as the Maynard community, building media spaces of courage and integrity,” Alcazaren-Keeley explained.

The reflection below embodies another core framework of the Maynard Communities of Practice: peer-to-peer learning & collaboration.

It’s written by two program members who partnered to share their takeaways from the keynote conversation: Amy Chen of the Maynard Executive Leaders Community and Jacob Sanchez of the Maynard Managers Community. They are both outstanding Maynard 200 Fellowship graduates, lending their voices to this new Institute experience.

How to Lead Through Change: Advice from News Leader Maria Carrillo

By Amy Chen and Jacob Sanchez

Maria Carrillo has seen her fair share of ups and downs during her 40 years across seven newsrooms.

Now as a consultant and coach, Carrillo guides the next generation of media leaders while acknowledging that “there has never been a time like this to be in this industry.”

Amid threats to democracy and freedom of the press, Carrillo kicked off the inaugural all-cohort keynote for the Maynard Communities of Practice with real talk: “Is your heart in it? You have to find that motivation … You can’t be half-hearted right now.”

For those who are committed to navigating the seismic shifts in today’s media landscape, Carrillo shared more of her best leadership advice:

Chart your own course

After doing some soul-searching, be sure to take the time to define what success even looks like.

Ask yourself:

  • What will feel rewarding for you in this role?
  • What are the things that you’re hoping to accomplish?
  • What will keep you growing?

Be genuine

As we all know, leadership comes in many different styles, and new managers may still be discovering their own strengths.

Ask yourself:

  • What are your leadership traits? Lean into them.

“It’s too much work trying to be someone else,” Carrillo added.

Spend time on what matters most

Focus on the hard stuff. Don’t check boxes. Don’t ignore tough situations — or people.

Ask yourself:

  • What are you going to let go of?

Tell the truth

From highlighting challenges to sharing expectations, honesty can go a long way when managing down — and up.

“Hedging,” or being hesitant or unclear when communicating, tends to backfire.

Members of the Maynard community chimed in with examples of why they’ve hedged, including:

  • Wanting to confirm directions before giving instructions
  • Being reluctant to share perspectives due to past experiences of not being believed

Carrillo’s advice?

  • Be clear about what you know — and don’t know
  • Be transparent about the information you can share

Ask yourself:

  • Do you hedge? Why?

Meet others where they are

As you face internal and external pressures, it always comes back to relationships. Get to know your staff and their families, and work hard to understand their motivations, fears, and long-term goals.

“Take care of the people so they can continue to do the job,” Carrillo said.

Ask yourself:

  • What brought you to this business in the first place?

Find your own source of support

In times of stress, you’ll need to vent about the state of the journalism industry — ideally to someone at your level or above, Carrillo said.

Ask yourself:

  • Who is your go-to person?

Shape your company culture, and take time to celebrate wins

Whether it’s a Slack channel or a wall in the office, create the space for recognition, appreciation — and levity.

Normalize asking for help, and remember to spotlight “unsung heroes” who don’t otherwise get a lot of attention, Carrillo added.

Ask yourself:

  • How can you make a difference across your workplace?
  • What can make it a better place?

Remember it’s a team sport…

Be clear about roles and metrics so everyone can be more successful.

… but realize you can’t save everyone

As a leader, you have to deal with the “problem people” who can otherwise take up too much of your energy and focus. The reality is that someone’s skill set may no longer match what’s needed. It’s up to you to figure out who is not succeeding.

To deepen someone’s self-awareness, consider approaching that person’s performance like a reporter.

Ask open-ended questions:

  • What are you good at?
  • What are you struggling with?

Remember: Not everyone should stay in the business.

“Everyone has to contribute. You can’t carry them,” Carrillo said.

Put on your game face

Amid the turbulence, remember that “your staff watches you very closely,” Carrillo said. Show everyone that you’re motivated and in it with them.

Prioritize activities (outside work) that bring joy

From exercising and cultivating hobbies to spending time with pets, Carrillo ended her keynote with a reminder for self-care.

Members of the Maynard community also weighed in with their own survival tips, including:

  • “Telling myself that ‘this too shall pass.’”
  • Mentoring up-and-coming journalists — and finding inspiration from their passion.
  • Finding regular sources of hope and joy, or “diversifying my happiness portfolio” as one Maynard alum described it.

“I imagine you in your newsrooms. You’re providing your point of view, your empathy, and your support,” Carrillo said. “That’s a reason to stay in it because you’ll help change the dynamic, and you’ll help bring attention to things that need attention…But I want you to take care of yourselves. It’s never been easy, but I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Amy Chen is a 2019 alum of the Maynard 200 Fellowship – Executive Leadership Track. After holding senior editorial leadership roles at LinkedIn, Airbnb, and two venture capital firms, she recently returned to Airbnb as the Copy Lead for Services.

Jacob Sanchez is a 2024 alum of the Maynard 200 Fellowship, focused on Frontline Editors & Managers. Currently, Sanchez is interim assistant managing editor at the Fort Worth Report, where he serves as fellowship editor and senior education reporter.

Registration for the Maynard Communities of Practice is open. If you are a Maynard Institute alum and have not signed up yet, please click on any of the links below. Alumni can be members of more than one community.

For any program questions, contact: Odette Alcazaren-Keeley Director, Maynard Communities of Practice and Maynard Regional Training Programs okeeley@mije.org/650.455.3063