In my first year of yearbook advising 25 years ago, Mike Taylor made me feel like I was a yearbook genius. He made me feel like I could do anything, and he made me feel good about myself. So many yearbook advisers had similar experiences when meeting Mike.
Over the years, Mike became my go-to guy for ideas – a weekly, if not daily, text or phone call. We talked family, shared dad jokes and always analyzed yearbooks. He lived to embarrass me whenever we were together, especially with his bad photos on Facebook. Some called it a bromance. I called it a good friendship. There’s a huge hole in my life and the journalism community since his passing.
Mike Taylor was so great at yearbooks because yearbooks are about people. Mike taught me and my staff so much more than how to make an award-winning yearbook. He taught us how to be, so these are some of the life lessons I’ll carry with me as we move forward.
BE HONEST
Staffs across the country heard, “Yeah, that’s not good,” after they pitched Mike a theme or idea. Mike was unapologetically honest. Sometimes it hurt and sometimes it made you laugh, but you knew he was right. Mike wanted the best idea for every book. He didn’t want anyone to fall in love with their first draft. Always be honest.
BE AN INSPIRATION
Mike was an expert at helping award-winning schools take their theme and ideas up a notch. He succeeded even more at helping elevate schools with basic or cliché themes and inspired them to do something new and different. Give a better idea and be a source of inspiration.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT
Mike’s phone was full of random photos of ads, billboards, brochures, menus and ideas that could make a good theme, color scheme or design. If it was red or black, he sent it to me since my book is known for keeping to school colors, but I know he also sent ideas to so many other advisers.
He was always on the lookout for something different, something not seen in a yearbook before, something that fit the themes he knew schools were working on. Take photos of random things. Inspiration is everywhere. Be looking.
BE A FORWARD-THINKER
“How can we make this better?” Mike asked that about absolutely everything. That’s how Elite Weekend started. He wanted a weekend without much teaching but full of intense training. His teaching background helped him recognize we learn better one-on-one than from a plethora of PowerPoints. Elite Weekend is my favorite event I attend with my staff. The time with trainers greatly improves our book, and the amount of work we get done makes the process run smoothly every year. Always ask, “How can we make this better?” no matter what it is.
BE AN EDUCATOR
Mike was in the classroom before working for yearbook companies. He never forgot the importance of teaching a skill because he maintained a teacher mindset. Mike knew it was important to give the “why” when he gave feedback. The office in Mike’s house was full of yearbooks. There was always an open book on his desk that he was studying. Be an educator and remember the “why.”
BE AN ENCOURAGER
For the last 25 years of advising, I called Mike every February and said “I’m done.” I wanted to quit. He laughed and reminded me I say that every year. I would tell him I was serious this time, but then Mike reminded me of why I like my job. He reminded me that a specific student would miss me, and I would miss the student. He said wanting to quit in February was normal. I’d call a few days later and he’d answer the phone, “Nope, you’re not quitting.” I learned an important lesson from Mike about encouraging. Let people know they are doing a good job, even if they are strangers. Humans need to be seen and appreciated. So many times, we’d leave a restaurant, and he’d call the manager and tell them an employee was doing a great job. Be a person who encourages and applauds others.
BE KIND
Mike was a good person with a huge heart. Was he loud? Yes. Obnoxious? Yes. Embarrassing? Yes. But most of all, kind. Sabrina Schmitz, Julie Taylor (Mike’s wife), Mike and I went to eat dinner during an Elite Weekend and walked to a Korean BBQ restaurant nearby. A homeless family followed us. Mike commented on their dog and how beautiful their daughter looked. By the time we entered the restaurant, Mike had disappeared. He had taken the family next door to buy them food and stopped by an ATM to give them money. Julie wasn’t surprised, because it was just what Mike did. Be kind to everyone.
BE PRESENT AND ENERGETIC
I was lucky to have Mike living in the same town I did for most of my time teaching at Legacy High School. If he was in town, he was at our award ceremonies and banquets. He loved Pacemaker pancake day. When reps and advisers called and said, “I need you,” he showed up with an energy that’s hard to fathom. Not many people could keep up with Mike’s energy. Every time we taught together, he’d tell me, “Leland, I need you to have more energy. Keep up.” I told him he had enough energy for the both of us. It was rare for Mike to not be moving or jumping from idea to idea or person to person. Be present. Be full of energy.
BE A GOOFBALL
Oh, that Mike Taylor laugh. Usually, he laughed out loud at his own jokes, but you always joined in. Mike taught us to find the humor in things. Whether it was bad service at a restaurant, a rude Uber driver, making a quick lane change in the car or getting stuck in the Las Vegas airport, Mike could find fun in everything. He loved a good minute-to-win-it game. I won’t forget “The Interlude,” a viral dance trend Mike participated in at workshops and conventions. He even got my super shy, awkward kid to do karaoke at yearbook camp one year. Mike wasn’t afraid to be different. He didn’t care what others said about it. He was fun. Be goofy. Be funny. Be full of laughs. Don’t worry about what others may think.
BE EVERYONE’S BEST FRIEND
If you knew Mike, it felt like he was your best friend. I don’t know the magic of how he did this, but he kept up with details about people. He knew your favorite candy, your editor’s name and to bring cheeseballs to your table at Elite Weekend. He knew your theme from this year and the one from last year too. He always remembered an inside joke you shared and knew details about your staff. Work to know your people outside of yearbook things. Be a friend to everyone.
BE BRAVE
In the last days of Mike’s life, you wouldn’t know how bad he felt. He said everyone goes through something in their life; cancer was what life dealt him. He wasn’t scared. He wasn’t worried. His humor, love for people and devotion to his job kept him going. Be bold in the daily grind. Be daring enough to try new things. Be courageous and don’t allow anyone around you to give up. Stay positive. Keep going. Be brave.
BELIEVE IN SOMETHING
Mike believed in Walsworth Yearbooks. He was not a salesman by title, but he would let you know why
he thought Walsworth was the best. He knew this family-owned company was special. He was proud to have an office next to Don Walsworth. Believe inthe product you produce. Be a spokesperson for your work.
Mike is no longer with us, yet he made an impact on so many. We’ll miss our friend and mentor. Sadly, we can no longer “Ask Mike,” but we can strive to “Be Like Mike.”
