Christine Temple

In journalism, building and maintaining trust with sources and readers is key to success. When you are a credible source of information, people come to rely on you. I take this trust-based approach in leadership by committing to have integrity. To achieve this, I believe I must be skilled at my job, do what I say I will do and have a sincere desire to help others achieve their goals. I learned the importance of this leadership style while studying at Evangel University, where I witnessed what it means to have integrity in your words and actions.

A leader who has integrity welcomes the truth and is the first to accept responsibility when things go wrong. I embrace having direct conversations and setting clear expectations. I believe open dialogue allows people to share their perspectives, and that gives my team and myself a safe space to learn and grow.

At SBJ, our business operates on constant deadlines, and that means decisions must often be made quickly. That pressure can be heavy knowing that our content is read by thousands of people. I find that having a clear sense of our mission, continually equipping myself with knowledge and asking the right questions helps me make wise choices decisively. I trust my instinct because I know what it’s informed by. 

While decisiveness is needed in business, so is flexibility and grace. I strive to create an environment where people are safe to ask for what they need and are given the space to manage the big and everyday challenges life brings. I believe being an effective leader means caring for the whole person and realizing some of life’s most important responsibilities are happening outside of the office.

Part of my role leading SBJ’s newsroom is fielding complaints on our coverage. I approach these moments calmly and respond with curiosity and humility. I think this method works in many challenging moments, and I have found that giving people a chance to be heard can make all the difference. 

Embracing the mess is a strength I am developing. I don’t always have the right answer and I’m not always sure what’s the next best move. My team often hears me say: “It’s all going to be fine”. That’s because I truly believe we have an excellent team, a worthwhile mission and the tools to figure out anything together.

The transition from the role of player to coach isn’t always an easy journey – and requires giving and asking for lots of grace. But it’s also so rewarding. SBJ recently won the top award in our division from the Missouri Press Association, the first time we achieved this distinction. Helping other people do their best work fills my cup like no personal achievement ever has.

I’ve also learned that it’s OK to be vulnerable with your team. Sharing in the joys and sorrows of life helps us understand each other better and brings connection. It also helps build empathy, which I think is key to being a good journalist as it helps us see the world through someone else’s lens.

Taking time off shows the importance and benefits of recharging. My husband and I love to travel and take time off work every year to go on a new adventure. I believe we show up as our best selves at work when we have the space to invest in things that bring us joy. Whether it’s a long trip or a weekend getaway, I celebrate with my team when they take time off. They earned it.