Posted: February 1, 2010
Learning Human Relations 101 At Gunpoint
The assignment: To get a story about how a farmer in east Tennessee had converted strip mined land into productive pasture.
My visit with him had gone well. But as I was about to leave, I noticed three small tenant houses that looked interesting. So asked if I could photograph them. He told me he had to get back to town but I could stay and take as many pictures as I wished.
One of the houses appeared to be lived in. As I walked toward it, I was attracted by a curtain blowing through the window. I stopped, set up the tripod and became busily engaged in studying, framing and shooting. After a minute or two, I had the feeling someone was watching me.
Someone was.
I straightened up, turned around and saw him standing there, an elderly man in overalls and a battered and sweat stained hat. One eye was staring at me. The other was looking down the barrel of a steadily aimed rifle.
Three things quickly flashed into my mind. First, it was best I smile. I did. Next, I should talk quietly and easily. I did that, too. And finally, I figured it would be wise to accept his yet to be announced terms.
I said "hi" then told him who I was, what I was doing and that I had the landowner's permission to be there. He slowly lowered the gun. But the tone of his voice told me I had a way to go before being home free.
He said his sister lived in the house and that he always "looked after things" when she was gone. Because it was her house, I was trespassing no matter what the landowner said.
I had to think of something and fast. If he raised that rifle again, it wouldn't be because he wanted to get rid of some upper arm flab.
Then a small dog walked out of the trees and stood next to the man. "I guess that's your dog," I said. He eyed me even more suspiciously.
"Yeah, and he's a good 'en, too."
"I just had a thought," I said, "Has anyone ever taken a picture of you two?" My voice was as warm and inviting as I could make it.
"Nope, never have," he answered.
"Well, I would be happy to do that and send you an 8X10 print after I get home. Would you like that?"
He hesitated then without saying a word, began to pose.
I took the picture and left a few minutes later with a handshake and his address.
I sent him the print. Although I never heard from him after that, my guess is that picture is hanging on a wall somewhere.
Another time, I had arranged to meet the owner of a fertilizer plant in Colorado. I arrived at 1PM sharp, walked into his office and introduced myself.
He sat up in the chair behind his desk and looked straight at me. "Look," he said, "I had to spend the whole damned morning with an idiot Wage and Hour guy, you know, a Fed. I'm in no mood to talk to anybody. Come back tomorrow morning about 8 and we'll do it."
I never said a word. I just nodded, smiled, gave him the OK sign and left.
The next morning he apologized for causing me to change my travel plans, then we went on to have a most successful visit during which I got exactly the interview I had come for.
Early in my career, I was in Mississippi to get my first cotton production story from the owner of a large and impressive operation.
The trouble was, although I was at home with corn and soybeans, I knew almost nothing about cotton. I knew I couldn't bluff or fake my way through the interview. If I didn't have the right questions, there was no way I could get the right answers.
After some small talk, I screwed up enough courage to admit my ignorance and tell him I would greatly appreciate him telling me as much as possible about cotton culture. His eyes brightened and with a big smile he assured me he would be proud and happy to do that.
Three hours later I was able chalk up a great story gathered during a memorable visit.
We know most people in agriculture are friendly and helpful. But no matter how strong our journalism credentials may be, they can be conservative and defensive. They also have become much more competitive and conscious of time and can be as stressed as we are.
The course in Human Relations 101 never ends. Already, however, I have concluded some general principles you might find helpful.
First, everyone wants to feel important and in control. You must accommodate that even if what they perceive falls far short of reality.
Second, no one wins in a battle of superiority. It's a matter of apples and oranges anyway because talents can be sharply different from one person to the next, even in the same profession.
Third, everyone has something to say and you must always recognize how important it is for them to say it no matter what action you take later.
Fourth, being a visitor means you are there only because you are allowed to be there. Replace "I must" with "I would very much like to."
Fifth, knowing what you don't know is more important than knowing what you know. After all, if you had all the answers, you would never need to ask questions.
And finally, if all else fails, back down and gracefully ease out. That way, you will succeed anyway.
The ability to get information from others is at the heart of our profession. To be successful in that regard, you must be kind, understanding, interested and flexible.
Remember that and you will be able to pass this profession's next pop quiz or major exam regardless of who gives it to you.