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I wish I worked in the PC era (pre-cell phone).
Zuck on Capitol Hill anyone else watching this?
I'm envious of those of you having office trysts.
I'm still in bed.
I’m not all that interested in seeing Hamilton.
One of my biggest fears is that I’ll be like my CDs
I’d rather be playing Scrabble
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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.
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.
You’re job is to help other people succeed. Approach every situation through that lens and you really can’t go wrong.
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
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.
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.
Learn from your past CDs. Both the good and the bad.
@CD5 damn. Can I come work for you? I’ve never had a CD like that
As long as those differences aren’t effecting the work/culture.
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.
@CD5 - that advice should be taken by every department manager
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.
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!