Master Class Tip 13

Remembering Tim Russert

In many ways, a marriage is defined by the rituals that grow up inside it — the things you do over and over together because they give you both such pleasure.

I've been married 29 years now, and one of the rituals in my marriage has been a Sunday morning cup of coffee and an hour together watching Tim Russert host Meet the Press.

When I mentioned his passing to my wife, she started to cry.

"It's so sad," she said. "I feel like I've lost a friend."

I'm certain that is the reaction millions of Americans are feeling. Because it was not just enlightening or educational to spend time watching Tim Russert. It was a pleasure to watch him. It felt good. Not because he always had good news to share, because often the subject matter was serious and the stakes high. But because there did not seem to be a self-important bone in his body.

It was never about him. It was about the conversation, and about the politician or colleague across the table. And because he so clearly loved his work, and so clearly enjoyed and even loved that conversation and those people he met while he did that work.

No one, quite simply, had a brighter or more sincere gleam in his eye than Tim Russert.

I have ended hundreds of coaching sessions, with talent at all levels, advising them to have fun above all, because when all is said and done, whether you're talking football or ballet or television news, nothing is more compelling than watching someone who clearly loves his work.

Tim Russert was the best proof in the world of that.

He was always fun to watch because he was always having fun. My wife, like me and a lot of other Americans this week, was crying because above all she'll miss that gleam. That look in the eye that seemed to say, "It just doesn't get any better than this, does it?"

On a Sunday morning, with a hot cup of coffee in hand and Tim Russert on the air, it really didn't.

— Barry Nash, The Coaching Conmpany

As always, we'd love to know what you think. If you have additional questions or thoughts about any of this, please contact us.

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