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Large and Small

life's lessons learned

ast month I wrote a column about • I learned to run my operation – on the opinion pages and
putting out a one-time-only special television -- as if it were a public utility, which it was not. Working
Ledition when I worked at the in the public interest won trust and built immeasurable good will.
Naples Daily News in 1986. • I was taught by a former publisher, Chris Doyle, to not be shy
The piece quoted the old newspaper about borrowing the good work ideas and habits of others, short
chestnut, “Extra, extra. Read all about it.” of plagiarism. As it turns out, I borrowed something from him
The more I thought about it, a follow-up – opening speaking engagements and public forums by leading
column would trumpet “Extra, extra. Learn all the audience in a patriotic song. I saw him wow a crowd with
by Jeff Lytle
about it.” “America, The Beautiful” and started copying it immediately. I still
That’s right. Learn. Let me explain. am proud to do it when I give a talk or host an event such as the
One of my favorite questions for interviews with candidates, Naples Area Board of Realtors’ annual Economic Summit.
politicians and other Fast-forward to today, please.
public figures used Since retiring in 2014 I have kept on learning – mostly how to
to be “What have play. Namely golf, pickleball and cards. (Volunteering is in the mix
you learned?” about too.)
the community. It • In that year through 2016 I learned the fundamental
compelled them to importance of
think. money to any
I borrowed that civic enterprise. I
from a U.S. Supreme helped chair the
Court associate justice, effort to complete
Harry Blackmun, who the languishing
came to Naples for a Forum Club speech at the Naples Beach Freedom Memorial
Hotel and Golf Club. His topic was “What I have learned.” It project at Freedom
fascinated me, coming from such an accomplished scholar and Park on Golden
student of the law. Gate Parkway.
While I was working in local daily journalism from 1979 to Originators
2014, I recorded all kinds of large and small epiphanies. I learned: assumed the memorial to past and present first responders was
• People are mightily impressed, even astonished, when such a great idea that money would raise itself. It took mighty
you simply do what you tell them you are going to do – even fundraising by then-Mayor John Sorey and a blue-ribbon
something basic such as printing their letter to the editor or volunteer committee to get the money and get it done. Now I
researching the answer to their question. have a new, deep appreciation for philanthropy, especially the
• Public figures are seldom as good or as bad as they first Community Foundation of Collier County.
appear. Time after time a candidate would ace an interview, only to • I have learned about various topics new to me via freelance
disappoint on the job. Or a politician would stumble and mumble, magazine writing, including butterflies, fishing, disc or Frisbee golf,
only to do quite well in office. horse hoof trimmers known as farriers, autism, exotic live edge
• To advise sometimes wary interview guests they have nothing wood and the tourism promotion.
to fear – as long as they do their homework and tell the truth. I • I also have learned how incredibly lucky I was to follow
avoided tricky or “pop quiz” questions. If something heavy were my wife’s lead and retire in 2014, just before the newspaper went
around the corner, I would let guests know in advance. through so many painful and downward changes -- and the tone
• Be careful about your body language. A former boss did me a of civic discussion and what’s left of the opinion pages followed
favor by counseling how off-putting posture and facial expressions suit. No wonder opinion pages are a dying breed. Nobody listens to
can be for people who are giving their time to answer your each other anymore.
questions.
60 Life in Naples | April 2022