Does anyone in this business get ahead on hard work and skill or is it only about making connections? Was told today that succeeding at the company is going to be hard because the CEO doesn’t like me.

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Same as anywhere else- working hard will get you somewhere eventually, but connections will get you there much faster.

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You can always change their perception of you by spending more time with them, and making your personality shine. Make their last memory of you wipe out the previous ones.

Yes it’s about both, unfortunately, especially in the US. Skill and personality work together and complement each other. Talent is def not enough to move up (faster).

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You need a senior advocate for you. Ops? Finance? ECD? No one survives without support

likeuplifting

CEO doesn't seem to have enough on their plate if a designer is on their bad side...

likefunny

1. Don't be a fawning ass about it, but the CEO is generally a person that deserves the lion's share of your attention when you're in close proximity. Everybody else will pretty much just have to understand. Respect is a thing-something to consider for next time.

2. Consider the source of your info. You could have a drama junkie on your hands, making a flippant remark by the CEO into something more than it is.

3. What you described sounds recoverable, don't dwell on it. Unless you're going for VP, Design Director in the next two years, the CEO isn't looking too hard at your next promotion.

4. CEOs change jobs too, and so can you.

likeuplifting

Hard work begets connections

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I am 100% with Director1. You’ve got to have the work right to get the connections, so if you’ve got that then focus on building connections.

And here’s some real truth: if the head of your business does not like you, give it 6-8 weeks attempt to turn it around. If it does not change, you need to leave. Do it quietly, do it professionally, but leave. If you’ve only been there 6 months, present it as a project engagement to the next employer. I’ve worked for two CEOs like this in my career when I was a junior and mid-level and one ultimately made me feel like I didn’t know what I was doing when I damned sure did and the other fired me. Don’t wait for those things to happen. And don’t work for a CEO like him or her again

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Not being liked is a hurdle. No matter how good one is. In any industry.

If the reason is unfounded... That's a different problem.

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@VP1 I didn’t get the full detail but on a workshopping work trip, he felt I was on my phone too much? Which, I was checking my work email and replying to jobs happening in the office...

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I agree with both VP1 and CD1. It sucks but if you were in charge you wouldn’t promote people who rub you the wrong way. You’re building a team that needs to trust each other. And that also means like each other. But if that is all he was offended by you can change his perception. Doesn’t seem like anything you can’t come back from.

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Hard work as the key to connections is BS. The only people who believe advertising is a meritocracy are white men and the select few others they let past their gatekeepers.

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@ACD1 I know some people don’t come by their connections through hard work and talent. We all know that. But, if you don’t have those connections to start, good work is the only way I know to start getting them. Open to hearing alternate routes that don’t involve as much work, because I could use a break

uplifting

What did you do to get on his bad side?

I’ve had nothing but positive feedback from my supervisors, strategy team, social team, project management, art directors, account and clients. So to have all that support and recognition not equal the bad opinion of the CEO which doesn’t even have anything to do with my work, is really frustrating.

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