Related Posts
Conversation Starter
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
Sign Up to see all discussions
- Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
- Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
- Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
"" is an unusual email domain. If correct, please proceed to the next step
Messaging rates may apply
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Share
Embed this post
Copy and paste embed code on your site
Preview
Download the
Fishbowl app
Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile
Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl
Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl
Messaging rates may apply
Yeah, hated it. It’s always framed as a way to raise the creative bar, but it’s usually done when the person above you wants safe work or has no idea what they want or how to communicate. So they bring in CD level teams who need no direction to close the gap in their skill set.
If it was truly a case where I was working into a genius with a high bar who could sell the best work, I’d be stoked. But I’m always doing it for a leader who can barely do my job, much less their own.
I miss being a creative. I’d be stoked.
When you stay a doer instead of growing into a developer your team will never succeed. You'll be paid to do two jobs instead of one. Eventually you're team will be frustrated and start mailing it in b/c "what's the point" if you're taking it over or doing it for them. Eventually they'll leave and you hire new creatives where the circle continues.
Being a CD isn't about doing it's about leading and requires soft skills that aren't usually taught. How do you empower your team and help them grow into great creatives? How do you manage up-down-and-across? How do you create a culture where creativity can flourish. When you're team is rocking you should barely have to touch the work.
Businesses that hire CD-level creatives and want them to be doers don't want to invest in a leader they want an overpaid senior. And you'll never truly develop as a leader with a job like that.
IMO there isn’t much of a future for creatives who just manage. Doers who are also smart enough to also think strategically and deal with clients have the best chance to survive.
IMO the real problem is that most of the people at your level are not up to the job of being ECDs.
They were never really empowered in the way their fore bearers were and as a result, can’t really persuade clients to buy better work, or stick around, or choose their agency. They don’t really have vision or ambition to create work that will set them apart from their peers. They’re decent CDs but mediocre ECDs.
So they stay busy by convincing themselves that they need to get in the weeds and “push the craft” and basically becoming very expensive CDs. Which stunts growth of everyone below them. If you’re an ECD and your specialty is “craft”, you’re just an overpaid CD.
I’m fine to get in the weeds instead of manage. I’m less fine with working into a leader who doesn’t really have backbone or persuasive skills but is clinging to their place at the top, which is what is happening more and more. 🤷♀️