Jim Cantore, of the Weather Channel, that is. He’s been nicknamed the “Rock Star of Meteorologists,” and this week he secured his place in the Rock Star Hall of Fame. While broadcasting live from the College of Charleston on the deep freeze that paralyzed much of the South, a local college student tried to “video bomb” him. Apparently this kid was hoping to create the next great viral news blooper. The unidentified student got his wish, just not in the form he was expecting….
As the student runs and screams toward him, Jim responds with lightning fast reflexes. He knees the student right in the crotch and sends him flying back off screen. Without missing a beat, Jim continues reporting, even injecting a bit of humor into his broadcast: “Obviously, here at the College of Charleston they are already having a good time.”
Click to watch the clip.
I think the reason this clip became the internet sensation of the week is because it illustrates several important lessons in just a few brief seconds: quick reflexes, a sense of humor, and the ability to “keep on going” no matter what may come our way–these are all qualities that serve us well in business, in life, and even in weather forecasting.
Jim Cantore knows he can’t outwit Mother Nature, but he can stay one step ahead of his competition (in this case, the numbskull vying for attention). It reminds me of a joke a friend and mentor in our industry once shared with me:
“A group of campers are making their way through the woods when a huge brown bear suddenly appears on the edge of clearing and begins charging toward them.
One guy drops his backpack, digs out a pair of sneakers, and frantically begins to put them on. His friend asks, “What are you doing? Sneakers won’t help you outrun that bear!” “I don’t need to outrun the bear,” the first guy replies, “I just need to outrun you.”
Stay ahead of the pack this weekend,
~Bob
