Esquire USA - 10.2019

38 October 2019_Esquire

BOOKS

EXECUTIVE

DECISION

Former Hearst CEO Frank

Bennack shares lessons learned

from 28 years in the C-suite

By Adrienne Westenfeld

the Big Bite

When Frank Bennack got his start in journalism
as a classified-advertising salesman in 1950, it was
a different world. The newspaper was king, and the
publishing industry had deep pockets. As an adman
in San Antonio, Bennack couldn’t have anticipated

the challenges he’d later face as the CEO of Hearst

(the parent company of Esquire), where he thrived

in an era of big disruption. Under Bennack’s lead-

ership of almost three decades, Hearst increased its

revenue 14 times, grew its earnings to more than 30

times their original size, launched three cable net-

works (A&E, History, and Lifetime), and invested

in the ESPN family of networks. To mark the publi-

cation of Leave Something on the Table, a memoir of

an extraordinary life in business, Bennack sat down

with us to share insight on building a purposeful as

well as profitable career, whether you’re on the exec-

utive floor or just starting out.

CULTURE IS EVERYTHING Office politics has harmed

more companies than their most evil competitors.

Never have we been at a time when it was more im-

portant that leaders put a high priority on culture.

Peter Drucker said, “Culture eats strategy for break-

fast.” There’s almost nothing else in a company that is

as important.

NO SORE LOSERS The other person doesn’t have to

lose for you to win in business. When the chips are

down, I always try to make that call in a way that is fair

and that recognizes the position of the counterparty,

whether it’s an employee, a partner, or whoever

it might be. It’s not only polite; it’s good business.

A HIGHER CALLING Journalism is indispensable to our

society. Maybe after the clergy, there is no higher call-

ing. It’s not a walk in the park. But it’s always been a

challenge. People thought radio would kill newspa-

pers, that television was going to kill radio, that cable

was going to kill all three, but they’re still here. There

are going to be a lot of readers of magazines, a lot of

readers of newspapers, and a lot of viewers of TV and

listeners of radio for a long time to come.

SET THE TONE Optimism and a positive attitude are

very powerful, particularly for leaders who have

tough jobs. If they don’t approach it with an upbeat

attitude, it’s very contagious. I love it when there’s a

loud noise in the cafeteria or in the halls. You know

that the people who are working on a magazine have

had a score of some kind or something good has

happened to them.

DON’T LOSE SLEEP OVER IT People who pride them-

selves on being able to get by on four or six hours of

sleep are kidding themselves. Make it a part of your

life. I’m going to rest when it’s time for me to rest. I’m

not going to let a too-difficult day get me to the point

where I toss and turn all night. I’m going to say, “I’ll

think about that tomorrow.”

OUT OF OFFICE Once in a while, put down the paper,

put down the book, turn off the television, sit in the

rocking chair, and think things over. Think, What have

I missed? What’s the next most important thing for me

to do, not only for my company but for my family and for

society? Have I done anything that makes the place bet-

ter today? If I haven’t, I’d better double up tomorrow.

A BIT OF ADVICE

Frank Bennack’s

memoir, “Leave Some-

thing on the Table,”

is out October 15.

FIT TO PRINT

In his newly gained publisher’s office, Bennack holds his beloved

“San Antonio Light,” circa 1968.