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By any yardstick, Brian Frons is a trailblazer. As the former head of Disney’s ABC daytime television, he is one reason daytime talk has become such a big deal. The man helped nurture shows like The View and transformed ABC daytime from being soap-opera-centric to talk-show central. He worked in European television buying first-wave reality shows like Big Brother, Survivor, and Fear Factor before they landed in the US. Those shows drove the adoption of broadband and SMS voting for audience participation when most in the US didn’t even know it existed. Now as an adjunct professor at UCLA (where I can call him fellow faculty), he shares his wisdom with Anderson School’s MBA candidates on how to build and scale businesses.
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of guest posts where people from all walks of life share their best advice in times like these. A big thanks to the leaders who volunteered to share their life experiences. Reflection on the past is a deeply personal exercise. The willingness to share it with the world, especially in the written form is a commendable act of vulnerability. For this alone, they have my deepest gratitude.
My Best Advice
“Focus on what will drive your business today and especially tomorrow, develop a thesis for your patience, and work diligently toward your goals,” Frons shared over a relaxed Southern California lunch, as his advice for leaders in today’s business climate. “YOU have to take control of your day—and your calendar.” Frons suggests prioritizing three tasks you need to complete and focusing on them. “Don’t be afraid to be early, and don’t be afraid to fail. I come from a business where we fail 90% of the time. Learn from your mistakes, and keep iterating with pace.” Finally, Frons advises not to let uncertainty get to you. “You’re going to be okay—take it from a guy who bought his first house when interest rates were 13%. My wife said everything would work out, and it did.”
