Why Harris Faulkner Is One of the Best Decisions Fox News Ever Made

It’s the 25th anniversary of Fox News and the network has generated a lot of success over the years. High up on the list of victories: adding Harris Faulkner to their news roster. Aside from a career of hard work and triumphs, Faulkner is the epitome of strength, grace and focus. What viewers see is an Emmy-winning journalist who has worked her way up from news correspondent to host of her own show (launched mid-pandemic), The Faulkner Focus, providing insightful analysis on the latest headlines. But behind the scenes is another human who was devastatingly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, losing her father on Christmas Day 2020. Faulkner found the inner-strength to cope and find balance by counting her blessings in both career and family life, humorously stating that “a mom with focus is a powerful force.” But before she was a queen at Fox News, she was ‘queen of the side hustle.’ Read on to find out more of Faulkner’s early career beginnings, how her networking skills rely on the power of a good old handwritten note, and why she doesn’t measure her success in accomplishing goals but rather the efforts she makes. How did you get to where you are today? Dream building is hard work—a strong work ethic is the ingredient that has most mattered in my career rise. In the late 1980s, I graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara with a degree in mass communications. From that point, it was clear that my optimism outweighed actual job opportunities for beginners in journalism. To gain writing and producing experience, I took on two simultaneous post-graduate internships in public radio and access cable TV in Los Angeles. And to pay the bills I scooped up temporary work as a secretary and bookkeeper. I was the queen of the side hustle! Another pivotal career moment came in early 2020, when anchors and hosts across the country were challenged by broadcasting from home. Maybe some of them had a home studio or space dedicated for that. My husband Tony and I did not, so we fashioned the family’s sport suite (aka Tony’s mancave) into Fox News Media—New Jersey! The entire family pitched in between virtual work and school to help me get on the air for more than a year. From our Jersey home we reached America and beyond with two successful daily shows, town halls on police in America and 11 primetime and daytime specials on the Covid-19 outbreak and vaccines. While I’m at Fox in person for the most part now, my team and I did launch “The Faulkner Focus” from my home. That seemed critical to the journey that has afforded me the chance to show my daughters, Bella and Danika, what hard work and vision can accomplish. How do you foster strong professional relationships as you grow in your career? The impact of a simple handwritten thank you note could fuel the world! It’s just that basic. I express gratitude continuously. While we all got tired of Zoom, FaceTime, virtual blah blah … it kept us connected in salient ways. So, moving forward, I’m incorporating virtual communications in my thank you regimen. How do you view work-life integration, especially now, and what advice can you share with others who may be struggling with it? The pandemic schooled us all on what to do about the people and things that do not serve our success in life and at work. In January 2021, it was time for me to do the great purge. I literally let go of people and things that clutter my path to peace and happiness. Especially now, it’s time for all of us to make sure our inner circle/squad—or what I call our "Special Forces"—are rich with people who embody positivity and undying energy in our lives. Success is about peace in knowing you’ve done everything you can do to accomplish a dream or goal. Can you recall a situation where you've dealt with typecasting in the workplace? And what advice do you have for other women on how to overcome typecasting at work? Years ago, when I was in local news, a woman co-worker hurled a brush at my head in the makeup room. The brush made contact. She said that she was upset that she didn’t get a primetime anchor slot and thought my being Black had given me an advantage. She yelled at someone about my “straightened afro.” After some tears, I restyled my hair and decided to work even harder in the anchor chair. A few Emmys later, I stopped remembering that woman’s name. Lead with integrity and leave the anger to the haters. Something to keep in mind: your biggest supporter is a stranger. Your biggest hater is someone you know. What’s one tip you can share or something you’ve learned on how to handle salary negotiations or raises? First, do your homework. Research the marketplace for salary information. In real estate, they call them COMPS—comparisons of closing house sales numbers. You can ask a buyer for one million dollars for your home but, if the surrounding houses are selling for $250,000, your house could sit on the market for years. Same thing goes with negotiating a salary. See what comparable positions are paying, no matter who’s in them (male, female, short, tall etc.). Know the special skills or gifts you have and mold those positives into a brand. Secondly, be financially and emotionally prepared to walk away when a deal is not right for you. This is not about feelings. It’s about the future. What’s the single best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Early in my career, my parents convinced me: you have 1,440 minutes a day to go for your dreams. Don’t let one jerk who ruins one minute get the rest of your 1,439. When difficult people appear on my radar, I deal with what I can and then let it go. On to the next. What does success mean for you? Success is about peace in knowing you’ve done everything you can do to accomplish a dream or goal. The success is in the trying. You will win and you will lose but only if you’re going for it. In my media career, and in life as mom of two young girls (my "Women Under Construction"), peace and integrity guide me. In fact, I may fall short of a goal but with my values intact, my efforts are never a failure. Working in a Family Business Can Be the Start of a Beauty(ful) Success Story

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Why Harris Faulkner Is One of the Best Decisions Fox News Ever Made

The host of The Faulkner Focus is the epitome of hard work, perseverance, and mom goals

Luz Corona

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Luz Corona