Confessions of a Designer Turned CEO: Why I Only Just Realized Managing Creatives is Harder Than You Think (But Also WAY More Fun)

Let's talk about hiring creative talent. At Papkot, we're big believers in the Netflix "high talent density" model. We want brilliant minds who push boundaries and redefine the possible. But here's the catch: great talent comes with great...complexity. Especially when it comes to the creative crew.

Now, I confess, I used to think managing was easy. After all, I spent years as a designer myself. I get the creative process, the emotional investment, the late-night bursts of inspiration (and frustration). So, naturally, I assumed navigating creative teams would be a breeze. Boy, was I wrong.

As Bob Iger wisely said, "People are complicated, creative people are hyper complicated." Why? Here's the brutal truth:

• Their hearts are on the line.?Every word written,?every frame shot,?every line acted,?every molecule crafted, it's a piece of their soul.?Feedback can feel like an attack,?not a suggestion.

Imagine Dr. Marie Curie, toiling night and day in her lab, finally isolating radium. Now, picture a colleague casually suggesting a different approach. Can you feel the sting of potential betrayal? That's the delicate dance you undertake when giving feedback to creatives. It's not just tweaking a line; it's questioning a piece of their soul. Tread carefully.

• Loyalty to self and vision runs deep.?Frank Lloyd Wright, the maverick architect, faced constant criticism for his unconventional structures. But did he bend to public pressure? Absolutely not! He believed in his vision, even when it stood at odds with popular taste. Empathy for others' opinions? Not received.?This fierce loyalty to their artistic integrity can sometimes make creatives seem stubborn, but remember, it's often the fuel that propels them towards groundbreaking achievements.
• Delivering exactly what you want? Not their priority.?They're here to create something?unique,?something that speaks to them,?even if it challenges expectations.
• Frustration breeds resilience (and sometimes disdain).?Push a truly brilliant mind too far,?and you might get a George Lucas-level of "I don't care what you think" attitude.

But here's the secret sauce: This very complexity is what makes them incredible collaborators. Their passion fuels innovation, their diverse perspectives spark breakthrough ideas, and their unwavering dedication delivers results that blow minds.

So, at Papkot, we embrace the "maverick" mentality. We foster an environment of freedom and responsibility. We provide clear goals and trust them to achieve them in their own unique way. We offer constructive feedback, not dictates. And above all, we celebrate their individuality, knowing that it's the very thing that makes them, and our work, extraordinary.

So, are you ready to dive into the exciting, challenging, and oh-so-rewarding world of managing creative minds? If you think you can handle it, join us at Papkot. We're looking for fellow adventurers who thrive in the chaos and believe that creativity, even unbridled, is the key to unlocking the impossible.

P.S. Share your own experiences managing creative teams in the comments below! Let's learn from each other and build even better environments for these brilliant minds to flourish.