Ernesto Aguilar

Tweets on public media, innovation and engagement • radio and more at @KQED • write & AI & Public Media Futures on LinkedIn • enriched by coffee

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

If you hired a bold leader to challenge your station's status quo and they suddenly become cautious, it’s not a performance issue. The system is pushing back. Best move? Reset expectations and create the safe conditions they need to actually drive change and thrive.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Zooming back to your inbox Friday! Get the latest at https://t.co/4dpKtKXPFE!

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Important editorial decisions aren’t over once the moment passes. My way? Think like a coach: focus on learning from outcomes, rebuilding trust, and improving your station's systems.

If you get a high-stakes call wrong, own the mistake quickly and extract the lesson.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

What a fascinating documentary on the history of Irish pirate radio! https://t.co/V5ZjmeDskX

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

When public media staff break the rules, punishment isn't always the answer. Not all rule-breaking is self-serving; sometimes it highlights a broken workflow.

My encouragement? Diagnose the behavior to find systemic fixes instead of just reacting with discipline.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Colorado! I'll see you this week. Rocky Mountain Community Radio's regional gathering happens in Boulder. See me there, presenting on several subjects, plus a keynote. Reach out if you want to catch coffee!

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

As AI reshapes public media, outdated performance reviews won't cut it. Shift from annual evaluations to tracking real-time workflow signals. See how your newsroom integrates AI, then use those insights to build continuous learning into daily operations.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Next week, I am talking about on-air fundraising and on-air formatics at the Rocky Mountain Community Radio conference. I'm also honored to open the event with a breakfast keynote. I look forward to seeing you in Boulder.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

If AI streamlines your station, don't cut the entry-level roles where future newsroom leaders learn. Protect your talent pipeline by redesigning early-career jobs to build human judgment and structuring knowledge transfer before hidden leadership gaps appear.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

By analyzing audience engagement data, stations can gain valuable insights into their preferences and what resonates with them. This can help shape our offerings to better meet their needs and interests. Get my insights on doing this well here: https://t.co/yDKBvDDesX

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Charisma can mask red flags in newsroom interviews. To hire true collaborators in public media: Identify your team's specific interpersonal needs. Ask about past failures and disagreements. Define strong answers in advance.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Coming at you in Colorado NEXT WEEK! There is still time to register. Make it happen here: https://t.co/KhH1TQ3tc7

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Getting station staff to actually use benefits takes more than easy enrollment. To boost follow-through, add thoughtful friction to sign-ups:  Ask for a small initial commitment; Ensure the effort is meaningful; Keep one-time sign-ups simple

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

An early reminder for my public media colleagues: the Public Media Journalists Association is bringing its March gathering to San Francisco. Keep an eye out for details here. Hope to see many of you next year! https://t.co/JHlOqP5nFt

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Incentivizing newsroom innovation changes the ideas you get. To drive real breakthroughs:

1️⃣ Match rewards to your goals (volume vs. impact)
2️⃣ Tailor incentives for specialists vs. generalists
3️⃣ Build complementary teams

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

"Once we retreated from the front porch to the backyard patio, it signaled a breakdown of the neighborhood." Some deep meaning here: https://t.co/RuRRreeL7t

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Incentivizing newsroom innovation changes the ideas you get. To drive real breakthroughs match rewards to your goals (volume vs. impact); tailor incentives for specialists vs. generalists; and build complementary teams.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

Right in time for Halloween parties, Fieldworks' new IPA boosts KQED. Get yours today.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

An encouragement for all my manager friends, about an issue we do not talk about enough: Support staff through menopause and other life transitions with flexibility, privacy and benefits that recognize the full span of a career, please.

[Ernesto Aguilar @eaXLR]

On the hunt for an interviewee next OIGO. Perhaps you know someone who should be in the spotlight? Now is the time to contact me. I'd love to hear more.