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Thoughts on VCCP London for strategy?
Deloitte audit Vs. Grant Thornton Tax. I have an offer from Grant Thornton and From Deloitte as an Intern this summer. Deloitte is the bigger name and pays a bit better but Grant Thronton has way nicer people and known to have a way better cultre and work environment. What should I do? Where should I go?Deloitte Grant Thornton
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Strategists are often being told, and unfortunately believing, that they always have to be the smartest person in the room and therefore have all the answers. It's BS and not attainable — at least not if you want anyone to enjoy working with you. What our friend from McCann is saying is absolutely correct. Sometimes you have to be comfortable moderating your way to the right answer. The real skill comes recognizing a good solution when you hear it, regardless of its source.
Being the smartest person in the room also means - you’re smart enough to know you don’t have the answer, and know where to look for it.
As a Planning Director you should be able to recognise and feel comfortable with not having an answer for everything.
Can I ask what it was like for you when you first took on the Director role?
I did in my first Director job but it was also because of the company I was at. My next one it was much better (also had better bosses.)
As long as your new boss is open to helping and building and being positive then i would be open with them and discuss your concerns. You were promoted because you showed promise and strength. Remember that.
Less about having the answer and more about knowing how/where to start looking, what questions to ask, how to shape workstreams and delegate to get there.
The older and more senior I’ve gotten (actually a group director but we don’t have that title), the more leeway I’ve been given to say that I don’t know something.
There’s no shame in saying you don’t know. But there is in not trying to find out.
Build up a network of people you can call- peers, mentors. There will always be things you don’t know which you need to ask - when you’re the boss, these people will have to be outside your company.
Also what I’ve realized working with many strategy directors - they often pose a q to juniors to have them research & sort out. For example, when working on a pitch for a fashion brand my boss had me summarize books on fashion marketing, case studies etc. when working on a pre-roll YouTube ad, she had me research best practices. I think the job is more - who can I ask to help me figure this out vs having to know everything.