Managing people is hard, y’all. Any advice for a newly appointed CD with a lot more managing and a lot less creating on their plate?

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Be honest. If there’s a problem tell people in private right away. Don’t let them hear it in a review six months from now. Praise in public and liberally. Good work is the goal, to reiterate, don’t micromanage how it gets done. Be specific with feedback but don’t dictate it be done your way exactly. Let your teams find their own solutions. Give credit to your teams always. Even when you solved the last bit of it. If your teams work late, the weekend, be there, or at least available, too. Assume people can do their jobs. Only jump in of they actually can’t. And teach.

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Learn to let go of the little things, don’t micromanage, understand other people have different methods and as long as it gets to good work it’s fine, be kind, fight for our work, have empathy for our time. I think the biggest thing new CDs do is assume everyone bends to them, when in reality a great CD acknowledges people’s differences and doesn’t try to change them.

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You’re job is to help other people succeed. Approach every situation through that lens and you really can’t go wrong.

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When you give feedback for the love of god be specific. “Push a little on this” or “make it funnier” don’t count as creative direction. And if you don’t know what to say, tell them you’ll send feedback later

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I’m at McGarrah Jessee in Austin. Thank you for the compliments. I’m taking my cues from the great folks I’ve worked for and with. And my dad. So kudos to those guys and gals. And acd/cw 1. That’s true to some extent, but all the CDs at McJ are also still working creatives on other accounts.

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Talk to HR about goal setting, promotions and career paths for your team members. Unfortunately there is no manual you get when you become a manager. But mentoring your team, elevating the people around you and championing them is top of the list.

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Learn from your past CDs. Both the good and the bad.

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@CD5 damn. Can I come work for you? I’ve never had a CD like that

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As long as those differences aren’t effecting the work/culture.

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Fake it till you make it. You don’t need to be right. You just need to sound like you THINK you’re right. Also think in your head what (your favorite CD) would say. It’s surprisingly helpful.

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@CD5 - that advice should be taken by every department manager

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There’s such a weird structure in this industry. You’re so good at creative that you don’t get to do it anymore, now you’re a teacher and an account guy.

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CD5 what shop are you at?

Don’t micromanage. Be honest without being personal. Ask people what they need from you to get to where you want them to be. Read books. ‘Setting the Table’ by Danny Meyer, while its not our industry, was extremely helpful for me.

You may find managing people, spreadsheets, and politics sucks compared to making stuff. That was my discovery. Freelance is a better fit for me!

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Starting B4 Assurance soon - want to lateral to Corporate Finance M&A team in 2 years from now


The M&A team is mostly seniors who already have their CPAs, so it’ll take me at least 2 years since I’m just starting with my CPA. Eventually, I want to work for an investment bank after I have a bit of experience on my resume.

Any sort of tips or advice you would have?

I’m in Canada if that matters.

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Looking for hotel recommendations for personal travel in Paris, Madrid, and Mallorca. Thanks in advance!

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Have you had to change your start date after accepting an offer and how did it go? I told them I need to give 30 day notice and so I set my start date (incorrectly) assuming the background check and drug screen would take a few days to clear. However, the drug screen is now taking over a week and a half (still not finished, maybe tomorrow). Apparently things are much slower due to staffing issues and labs are backed up. It’s cutting into my 30 day notice significantly. Thoughts?

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A question for those who don't like WFH: have you been able to adapt and make it work for you? How? It seems like our firm is going to stay WFH (or make it optional.) I know that I’m in the minority of people who like the office environment. And I also realize the way we network and connect has evolved. I'd like to learn how to get the same kind of fulfillment online that I got from being in the office. Any tips?

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Hi folks,

Are there any Product Leaders out there who wouldn’t mind taking a quick look at a take home case study that I’m currently writing.

Not looking for a rewrite or anything, just to see if I’ve covered off the main elements of what was asked for and how it comes across.

I can DM if your respond.

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How much can I expect from hexaware for 4 years and 8 months of experience in azure DevOps?

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Autodesk makes their software available for free to schools. Such a great opportunity for our students!

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Hi Guys,

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EY for Dallas location. 4.5 years of experience. Also, how much EY typically provides as joining bonus.

Thank you.

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Has anyone rolled over more than 100 hours of PTO through contacting HR? My wedding/honeymoon is next week and will use all 100 that I roll over.

What is the best way to help out a burn out colleague? Beyond assuming part of her work...(pretty burn out myself too, but worried about her sinking deep)

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Not directly an advertising question, but I'm curious how this works.

When an indie agency is bought out, how do they determine the number? Is there a general rule to follow?
Droga sold for $475MM
Were they simply billing a ton or is there more to it?

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I just realized that I have a lot of friends….but like I don’t have any actual friends except one person. Is this a normal part of your late 20s?

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Hello, looking for supervisor positions in healthcare within NYC, I am looking to start ASAP. I have my Bachelors in Health Services Admin and Economics, 5 years of experience in the industry and I am currently working towards my PMP certification, as well as going for my MBA or MHA, depending on what program I can afford. I am currently located in Queens. Thank you!

Partner keeps telling me (2nd year) that I need to get better at using staff like paralegals to reduce client costs.....but doesn't realize that the only paralegal allocated to my group has been with the firm for 30 years and bills 1.5x higher than me.

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Did anyone else get a ridiculous rent increase this year?

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How recession will affect PE recruting?

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Additional Posts in Advertising Confessions

I wish I worked in the PC era (pre-cell phone).

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Sometimes I just want to say - yes, yes, that was a very stupid question. Think for yourself...

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Everyone suddenly becomes a critic when they work with a 'junior' designer. cant count the amount of times I've teared up at my desk bc I feel like im not being enabled to do my job properly.

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I feel like a complete failure in this business. It’s not because I lack talent. It’s because nobody has asked me to use my talent and it really sucks.

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Most of my doctor appointments aren't interviews. I go home and take a nap.

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Zuck on Capitol Hill anyone else watching this?

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I'm envious of those of you having office trysts.

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I’ve hated multiple jobs in a row. I’m great at my job but I find it stressful and frustrating and hard to stay motivated. No idea when to throw in the towel on the industry or keep trying

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I just don't think advertising is doing it for me anymore. 8 years of trying to prove to white men that I'm worthy of opportunities...that my ideas are worthy...that I'm worth more money...I'm over it

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I've been in this business almost 20 years. I can count on one hand the number of colleagues fired or terminated the first 15 years. I have lost count the last 5 years. It takes an emotional toll

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I'm still in bed.

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Social anxiety has made client meetings and presentations physically impossible. Time to jump ship but no idea where my experience can take me. Any brand strat/comms planners with similar experience?

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Sometimes I leave the bathroom door unlocked just to see if someone will come in

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I’m not all that interested in seeing Hamilton.

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One of my biggest fears is that I’ll be like my CDs

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What’s the agency behind the Chantix Turkey commercials? Are they effective? The only one that loves them is my 6 year old. ( PS he’s not the target market)

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Okay so who is more essential to have on a video shoot? A CW or and AD? Just found out the budget is low for one of the campaigns I’m working on and we have to decide who goes.

I’m so sick of the “optimizing” and “be your best self” bullshit. Can’t I just take drugs and snooze?

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I’d rather be playing Scrabble

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I’m quitting my job in March (once my 401k is fully vested) but I’m totally struggling to stay present in the mean time. Any tips, here? (cont)

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