Two men, opposite sides of the country, both woven into the fabric of America through legendary careers in media, both will call it a professional day for the most part this week. One is Vin Scully, the other is Charles Osgood. One greets you every Sunday morning on CBS and several times during the week on CBS radio, the other for many is the soundtrack of summer nights filled with baseball and conversation in and around Southern California. And both trace their roots to an education and a 50,000 watt radio station in The Bronx, New York, Fordham University and WFUV.
For those of a younger age, there may not seem to be a link between the two other than their age and the medium that brought them to the forefront; traditional television. Both are understated, not really attuned to social media and are seemingly part of a generation past than a generation future. However at the core of their success, and at the success of anyone looking to build a narrative, is the ability to effectively listen, think, develop and then tell a story. The skills of storytelling are more essential than ever, and anyone, of any age, can learn with the examples Scully and Osgood have set forth since they left the Jesuit University of New York.
What are those skills that translate through generations and genres? Here’s a short list.
Informed and Thoughtful: No matter who or what they are talking about, Scully and Osgood have always done their homework. They know not just the basics but the details of all they are conveying to the world, and use that great detail to give all that are listening or watching a deep and unique look into stories that may be as time-tested and retold as a Bible verse, or as new and cutting edge as a rookie outfielder from Cuba or a graffiti artist working his way through new medium.
Relevant- While both could always harken back to stories of the past; safe transitions and time fillers for an audience which may crave nostalgia, both always look to find relevance not to what THEY want to talk about, but to what their audience is looking for. The stories they tell may not be as relevant to them personally, but they are important to the listener or the viewer, and their professionalism pulls the relevance through very clearly. The subject is more important than the storyteller.
Authentic- In an era of shouting to be heard, both bring a high level of authenticity to everything they do. If they say it, you believe it. Now that does not mean they dismiss the integration of anything that pays the bills; sponsor mentions and cross promotions and the like, but they integrate messages so flawlessly into their narrative that everything they say comes across as sincere and very believable. They also are not big on the overstated; they master the understated and by doing so let the audience grasp the story in a calm, and insightful way in a voice that is consistent and familiar.
Educational- Perhaps it is because they are both Jesuit-educated, but both come across as always looking to learn, and also to inform and teach their audiences something useful well beyond their craft. It is rare, if ever, that you don’t listen to Scully or Osgood and walk away thinking you hadn’t learned anything, from useful anecdotes to a deeper understanding of some of the world’s biggest names.
Conversational- Perhaps more important than anything, is that both veterans long ago mastered the art of conversation, especially in the spoken word. There is always a feel of a two way exchange between the listener/viewer and the speaker, he always pulls you into the narrative, and make millions feel like he is talking directly to you. It is not done by shouting down or asking for attention. It is done by inclusion; by knowing the audience and thinking about who you are speaking to, you create and drive conversations big and small, and no one creates the conversation better.
Some may think that the celebration for two Fordham Rams calling it career may be unimportant or overstated, which is ironic given that both professionals never dwelled on overstatement during their career. The celebration is really about the moments created for millions on a consistent basis for decades and about the legacy that they have passed on to others now plying their craft on every medium possible. They may have been a bit old school, but the work ethic, and the ability to continue to story tell is anything but old; it is refreshing, important and more valuable for all today than when they were fresh out of school.
We all should keep learning and improving; just ask Vin and Charlie if you get a chance. They may be gone from the screen, but their impact and the lessons they taught will live on forever.
