The 'Creaturd' Chronicles: Mastering the Art of Navigating Vague Instructions with Humor and Ingenuity

The 'Creaturd' Chronicles: Mastering the Art of Navigating Vague Instructions with Humor and Ingenuity

Grant Crowell Grant Crowell

Grant Crowell

Video Producer ?? | Instructional Designer ???? | Voiceover Artist ??? | Social Wordsmith ?????? | Author ?? | Neurodiversity Speaker ??? | Making Communication and Learning Fun! ?? ??

发布日期: 2024年8月16日
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Creaturd /?kri?.e?t??rd/: A manager who hands you an assignment with the sole directive of "be creative," leading to results that somehow end up being your fault.

Picture this…

A man in an office setting sits at his desk, staring intently at a computer screen with a concerned expression. Behind him, an older woman with a white bob haircut, wearing oversized, pink-tinted sunglasses and an exaggeratedly large gray blazer, is gesturing dramatically and appears to be talking loudly. The man looks frustrated, while the woman seems overly enthusiastic or intense.
"My instructions? Just be creative!"

You're diligently at work, head-deep in a full plate of tasks. Suddenly, your boss, who we'll call Ms. Vague Von Mystique, swoops in and plops a project on your desk.

Her only instruction? "Be creative!"

So, you dive in headfirst— no guidelines, no parameters, just a blank canvas and a ticking clock— channeling your inner Picasso.

But when the final product doesn't align with Ms. Mystique’s undefined expectations, guess who's in the hot seat?

That's right – you.

Welcome to the realm of the creaturd, where vague instructions lead to very pointed blame.

"I believe my instructions to you were crystal clear."

But who's responsible for creaturds, really?

Not all creaturds are the doings of some unreasonable overlord; sometimes we may have ourselves to blame.

Creaturd /?kri?.e?t??rd/ — a misunderstanding of an assignment due to inadequate instructions cloaked in ambiguity which leads to a workplace catastrophe.

Scenario 1: The marketing debacle

A business meeting is taking place in a conference room, where a man in a suit is presenting a slide on a large screen. The slide shows four llamas dressed in colorful pajamas, with the text 'Dancing llamas in pajamas!!!' above them. The man gestures toward the screen with a confident smile, while the other attendees, seated around the table, look on with a mix of confusion and disbelief. The atmosphere appears humorous and slightly absurd.

We’ve all been there: Your boss — let’s call her “Clairie T.,” waltzes in one fine Monday morning with a grand announcement. "We need a new campaign, folks! Make it viral! Be creative!" and then promptly disappears, leaving you and your colleagues staring at each other like deer in headlights.

So, you and your team brainstorm for hours, coming up with a quirky idea involving llamas in pajamas, catchy jingles, and dance challenges. You pour your heart and soul into this project, convinced it's pure genius. The day of the presentation arrives, and you unveil your llama-tastic masterpiece to Ms. Clairie T.

She stares at the screen, her face devoid of emotion, then says, "I was thinking more along the lines of an email newsletter." The room falls silent. You’re left with a llama-themed campaign and a boss who’s completely bewildered by your creativity.

Lesson learned: always clarify before you unleash the llamas!


Scenario 2: The artistic disaster

In a brightly lit room, a young man in a suit gestures emphatically toward a large, vibrant, and chaotic abstract mural filled with swirling rainbow colors, spirals, and floral patterns. An older man with round glasses, suspenders, and a red tie stands to the side with his hands on his hips, looking perplexed or unimpressed by the artwork. A table in the foreground is covered with paintbrushes, color palettes, and art supplies, suggesting a creative setting. The scene conveys a mix of confusion and frustration amidst an explosion of color.

I’m sure you can relate to this one: Your creative director, “Mr. Al Biguity,” glides into your workspace like a figure from an old Hollywood movie. With a dramatic flourish of his hand, he declares, "Design something that speaks to the soul," and then sashays away, leaving you to wonder what kind of soul he’s talking about — Picasso or Post-it Note?

Undeterred, you channel your inner abstract artist. You create a masterpiece filled with swirling colors, hidden messages, and layers of deep, philosophical undertones. It’s a visual symphony, a true magnum opus, and you’re sure it’s going to blow everyone’s mind. Presentation day arrives, and you unveil your creation with a flourish, expecting gasps of admiration.

Instead, Mr. Ambiguity’s face turns an alarming shade of purple, like a grape left out in the sun too long. "I meant a simple flyer for our new product," he sputters, his voice a mix of confusion and mild panic.

Your soul-speaking masterpiece is met with blank stares and awkward coughs. As you gather your things, you hear the whispers: "Where did we find this guy?" echoing like a bad catchphrase.

Moral of the story: Sometimes, the soul just wants bullet points.


Scenario 3: The event catastrophe

A chaotic scene at a 'Company Adventure Park' shows a group of employees in outdoor gear, looking exhausted and disheveled after a strenuous activity. One man in a suit and helmet is awkwardly hanging from a zipline, while others, dressed in yellow shirts and safety harnesses, sit or stand around a picnic table, looking battered and weary. One woman is holding up her hands in frustration, while a speech bubble above the man on the zipline reads, 'I was thinking more along the lines of a picnic.' The image humorously contrasts the expectation of a casual outing with the reality of an intense and challenging team-building exercise.

I bet this one brings back some memories: It’s the annual company retreat, and the event planner, “Ms. Vague Ness,” hands you the task of organizing the team-building activity with only the vaguest of instructions: "Make it fun and memorable!"

You decide to pull out all the stops. Go big or go home, right? You plan a surprise trip to an adventure park, complete with zip-lining, obstacle courses, and a paintball battle. The day arrives, and as the team steps off the bus, you can practically taste the excitement in the air.

But then reality hits – literally. The first zip-liner gets stuck dangling in mid-air like a confused pi?ata, the obstacle course quickly devolves into a mudslide straight out of a disaster movie, and the pièce de résistance? The CEO takes a paintball square to the face, leaving everyone stunned and you desperately wishing for an undo button.

By the end of the day, your colleagues look like extras from an action movie gone wrong – drenched, muddy, and more than a little shell-shocked. Meanwhile, Ms. Vagueness calmly surveys the chaos, then remarks, "I was thinking more along the lines of a picnic."

Reality-check: Fun and memorable doesn’t always require high-octane thrills – sometimes a frisbee and some sandwiches would have done the trick.

Why do creaturds happen?


Ambiguity enthusiasts

A comic-style illustration depicts a disorganized office meeting where four employees are seated around a cluttered table, looking confused or frustrated. A man in a suit stands at the front, pointing to a whiteboard filled with random circles and scribbles, saying, 'Just be creative, folks. Less is more!' The walls are covered with contradictory posters such as 'Vision is Blurry' and 'Vision is More,' adding to the chaotic atmosphere. The scene humorously captures the absurdity and confusion that can arise from vague or unclear instructions in a creative workplace.
Welcome to the Department of Mixed Signals—where clarity goes to die and creativity gets lost in translation.

Ah, the Ambiguity Enthusiasts – those well-meaning souls who genuinely believe that creativity thrives in a vacuum. Their motto? "Less is more!" But here’s the thing: sometimes less is just... well, less. When "less is more" becomes a lifestyle, you’re not cultivating creativity; you’re just setting up your team for a deep-sea dive into a murky ocean of confusion.

Spoiler alert: constantly guessing what’s expected is not the fast track to innovation – it’s more like a slow crawl toward a toxic swamp of frustration and endless second-guessing.

Pro tip: clarity is the actual key to unlocking creativity, not a round of office charades.


Overconfidence in team talent

A comic-style illustration shows a team meeting where a group of employees looks frustrated or confused as a manager with teal hair confidently declares, 'I know you all can work miracles, so let's keep those creative juices flowing, without direction!' The room is filled with posters and papers that contain jumbled, nonsensical phrases like 'Confidently without clarity,' 'Expectations unclear,' and 'Creative without direction.' The team members, slumped in their chairs or holding their heads in their hands, seem overwhelmed by the lack of guidance. The scene humorously captures the chaos that ensues when a team is expected to produce results without clear instructions.
When leadership's motto is 'wing it,' the results are anything but miraculous.

Next up, we have the Optimistic Creaturd – the one who assumes their team’s creative genius can overcome any obstacle, including, you know, a complete lack of direction. It’s like tossing someone the keys to a Ferrari and saying, “Go win that race!” without mentioning that there’s no gas in the tank.

领英推荐

Spoiler alert: the race doesn’t end well. Overconfidence in your team is a sneaky way to set them up for failure. Thinking they can pull off miracles with zero guidance? Not a compliment. It’s a recipe for disappointment, burnout, and possibly a revolving door of team members fleeing the guessing game.

Pro Tip: Confidence is cool and all, but pairing it with a little something called "realistic support" is what truly gets the job done.


Procrastination by proxy

A comic-style illustration depicts a chaotic office scene where employees are frantically passing off their tasks to one another. In the center, a disheveled man with wild hair and large round glasses grins as he holds up a stack of papers labeled 'URGENT' while sitting at a desk piled high with documents marked 'MY PROBLEM.' Around him, other employees either point fingers, look distressed, or try to offload their own work. The walls are plastered with nonsensical signs like 'Delegate Problems by Proxy,' 'Not My Problem,' and 'Pass My Problem,' highlighting the absurdity of constant delegation and procrastination in the workplace.
When in doubt, pass it out—because nothing says teamwork like shared procrastination.

And finally, let’s talk about the Creaturd who’s mastered the art of passing the buck – or as we like to call it, Procrastination by Proxy. This delightful individual is simply too busy (or let’s be real, too lazy) to flesh out the details, so they delegate the half-baked idea to you and vanish faster than a magician’s assistant. Suddenly, you’re playing hot potato with an unfinished project, wondering how you got stuck with it. But this isn’t just laziness; it’s toxic.

Spoiler alert: Procrastination by Proxy breeds a culture where responsibility is dodged like an ex at a high school reunion. Over time, this erodes trust, kills engagement, and turns your team into a group of buck-passers rather than milestone-crushers.

Pro Tip: Remember, folks: accountability isn’t just a buzzword — it’s the secret sauce of a productive team.

Sound overwhelming? Insurmountable?

Thrice-nay, applesauce! I wouldn't write this article if I didn't have the remedy for your malady. ?????? Behold and revel, these are my most helpful tips, born of painstaking experience, to avoid finding yourself in a creaturd scenario, served with a side of empathy, wit, and just the right amount of snarky humor:

7 Solutions for Conquering Creaturds

1. Get the Details, Darling

A young man in a beige suit and blue tie sits at a desk in an office, wearing a Sherlock Holmes-style deerstalker hat and oversized round glasses. He holds a magnifying glass up to his eye, inspecting a document closely, with a serious expression. The desk is cluttered with colorful pencils, a vintage camera, and stacks of papers. A sign on the desk reads 'GET THE DETAILS.' The scene humorously portrays the idea of meticulously searching for details or investigating something with exaggerated seriousness.

Before diving headfirst into a project, channel your inner detective and gather as much information as possible. Ask those clarifying questions like, "When you say ‘creative,’ do you mean Michelangelo creative or just a snazzy PowerPoint template?" It’s not being difficult; it’s called self-preservation. The more details you have, the fewer surprises later – unless you like the idea of pitching a llama-themed campaign to a bewildered boardroom.

2. Confirm Expectations (Twice)

Two men are engaged in a conversation in an office setting. The man in the background, wearing a white shirt and striped tie, is leaning forward with an exaggerated expression, holding up his hands to make air quotes. The other man, seated at a desk and facing away, also makes air quotes with a puzzled expression. A large sign above the scene reads 'CONFIRM EXPECTATIONS/TWICE,' highlighting the humorous emphasis on ensuring clarity in communication. The desk is cluttered with paperwork, underscoring the seriousness of the setting contrasted with the playful gestures.

Once you’ve gathered the basics, repeat them back to the person in charge. Something like, "So, just to confirm, you’re asking for a simple, elegant design – not a kaleidoscopic trip through the mind of Salvador Dalí, right?" This will either confirm that you’re on the right track or, more likely, reveal that they have no idea what they want, giving you the chance to steer the ship before it hits an iceberg.

3. Document Everything

A bright office scene shows a young man seated at a desk, diligently writing in a binder. The desk is piled high with stacks of papers, folders, and office supplies. Behind him, an older man in a suit and glasses stands with a cheerful expression, holding up a document as if to emphasize a point. On the desk in front of the young man, bold text reads 'DOCUMENT EVERYTHING,' underscoring the theme of thorough record-keeping. The atmosphere is one of meticulous attention to detail, with a touch of humor conveyed through the exaggerated expressions and the abundance of paperwork.

Ever had that moment where your boss swears they never said, "Be as creative as you want"? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Avoid this by documenting everything. Emails, meeting notes, carrier pigeon messages – if it’s in writing, you’ve got the receipts. When the blame game starts, you can whip out your paper trail and say, "Actually, this is what you asked for," with a satisfied grin. Better yet, point them to the link of your recorded meeting with the AI-generated summary and transcript, and watch their jaw drop.

4. Remove all ambiguity

A cheerful, cartoon-style illustration features two women in an office, holding up a large checklist that reads 'REMOVE ALL AMBIGUITY' in bold letters. The woman on the left, with red hair, looks pleased as she holds the checklist, while the woman on the right, with dark hair, smiles brightly, wearing a sweater that also reads 'REMOVE ALL AMBIGUITY.' However, the items on the checklist are humorously misspelled and illegible, adding a layer of irony to the scene. The background includes more documents and checklists, all with similar themes of eliminating ambiguity, while the clock on the wall shows the time as noon.

For example, say someone asks you to create a “short” video. What does that even mean? “Short” is like the wild west of time measurements. For a guy who makes hour-long tutorials, “short” could mean 10 minutes. For someone else, it might mean the time it takes to microwave a burrito. We need some parameters here, people! If someone drops the “short” bomb on you, make them give you a time range. And if they have no clue, ask for examples of what they like. Pull out something you’ve done before and ask, "Is this in the ballpark?"

5. Set Boundaries (and Stick to Them)

A professionally dressed man and woman are in an office, with the man raising his hand in a firm gesture as if setting a boundary. A strip of tape with the repeated words 'SET BOUNDARIES' stretches between them, reinforcing the concept. The woman stands confidently with her arms crossed, wearing sunglasses and appearing resolute. On the desk in front of the man, a sign reads 'SET BOUNDARIES AND STICK TO THEM.' The background features a bulletin board with a pinned notice that says 'STICK TO BOUNDARIES,' emphasizing the importance of maintaining clear boundaries in the workplace.

You may really want to show you’re a team player, but saying "yes" to every vague task is a one-way ticket to Creaturdville. When someone tries to drop a nebulous assignment on your desk, it’s okay to push back gently. "I’d love to take this on, but I need more specifics to ensure it’s exactly what you’re envisioning." Translation: "I’m not falling into that trap today, thank you very much."

6. Manage the Fallout with Grace

A lively office scene features a group of employees laughing and reacting to a situation. At the center, a young man in a blue suit and red striped tie is laughing heartily, loosening his tie with a carefree expression. Behind him, a banner reads 'MANAGE THE FALLOUT WITH GRACE,' while the people around him display a mix of amusement and disbelief. One man in the background covers his face in exasperation, while others grin or laugh at the situation. The scene humorously illustrates the idea of handling workplace challenges with a lighthearted, if somewhat chaotic, approach.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you’ll still find yourself in a creaturd situation. When that happens, own it with grace. Laugh it off, learn from it, and next time, tighten up those briefings even more. And if all else fails, there’s always the "Well, I guess we’ll chalk that one up to artistic differences!" approach – said with a wink and a nod, of course.

7. Keep Your Sense of Humor Handy

A vibrant office scene shows a group of employees sharing a hearty laugh during a meeting. At the center, a young man in a suit and tie is laughing loudly with his hands clasped on the table, clearly enjoying the moment. Above him, a large sign reads 'KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR HANDY,' emphasizing the importance of humor in the workplace. The people around him, including a mix of men and women in professional attire, are also smiling or laughing. The background features humorous, jumbled phrases like 'TIP SOUR CONFUSEE' and 'HUNFUSHEE CONFUSING,' adding to the playful atmosphere of the scene.

Let’s face it, sometimes the world of work is just plain absurd. When you’re knee-deep in creaturd chaos, remember to keep your sense of humor close. After all, if you can’t laugh about presenting a llama campaign to a stone-faced CEO, what can you laugh about? ?Plus, it’s way more fun to look back and say, "Remember that time we completely misunderstood the brief?" than to cry into your keyboard.

Let's recap!

A stylized, animated scene in a creative workspace where two characters, a man and a woman with exaggerated features and large glasses, are engaged in a friendly discussion. The man, with a beard and a grey shirt, gestures with his hands as if explaining something, while the woman in a red sweater listens intently, smiling. The background of the office is lively, decorated with posters of similar caricatured faces and a vibrant mood board, conveying a light-hearted and creative atmosphere. Various design tools and toys scatter the desk, adding to the artistic and casual feel of the workspace.

Clarify, Clarify, Clarify: Before diving into any task with nebulous instructions, seek clarification. Pin down specifics like a detective on a mission.

Document Everything: Keep records of all communications. When the blame game starts, your paper trail becomes your best friend.

Set Boundaries: Politely push back when given a creaturd assignment. Explain that clearer instructions will yield better results.

Manage Expectations: If you can’t get the details you need, manage expectations from the get-go. Let them know what you can realistically achieve with the information provided.

Laff and Learn: Not every creaturd situation is controllable, but how we choose to manage our reaction to, certainly is.

Conclusion: To 'turd is human, to prepare is divine

In the grand tapestry of professional life, creaturds are those stubborn knots that threaten to unravel our best-laid plans. But with clarity, a solid paper trail, and a dash of humor, you’ll not only survive but thrive in the wild world of work.

A vibrant comic-style illustration shows a woman with short black hair and a blue tank top joyfully jumping into the air, fists raised in triumph. A happy, wide-eyed cat wearing a pink collar leaps alongside her, mimicking her excitement. The background radiates dynamic yellow and orange lines, emphasizing their exuberance. A speech bubble near the woman reads, 'I now have an arsenal of tips for handling Creaturd situations!' Below them, a bold caption attempts to repeat this message but is humorously garbled, reflecting the chaotic theme of 'Creaturd' scenarios. The image conveys a sense of victory and preparedness with a playful, energetic vibe.

Happy creating (and creaturd’ing) — on your own terms!

A playful logo design features a stylized, cartoon-like pile of poop with an angry expression, arms raised as if in frustration. The word 'CREATURD' is boldly displayed below the image, combining the words 'creativity' and 'turd' to humorously convey the concept of creative challenges or mishaps. Surrounding the central image are icons representing various elements of creativity, including a pencil, gears, and a calendar, with each element contributing to the overall theme. The design is light-hearted and whimsical, poking fun at the frustrations that can arise during creative processes.

Do YOU have a creaturd story?

I hope you'll share it with me in the comments! (I love candid feedback, too.)

Brad Lanoue

?Lightning In A Mic? | Conversational - High Energy Voice Over Artist | Multi Media Specialist

6 个月

I have had MANY clients tell me to just do my thing. I've gotten to a point in voiceover where I deliver multiple takes to make sure one of them was in lines with their vision. Most of the time it works and the others we just have to refine what exactly "creative" means to them. Excellent post and I'm glad there were lessons learned along the way.

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Lou Poulsom

Voice Actor (Source Connect) & Corporate Receptionist

6 个月

Ha ha ha I don't know how you think these up but this is comedy gold. Brilliant post ??????

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Lou Poulsom

Voice Actor (Source Connect) & Corporate Receptionist

6 个月

Ha ha ha I don't know how you think these up but this is comedy gold. Brilliant post ??????

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Audrey Schroder

Director of Marketing Communications & Knowledge Innovation ?? advocate for mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, bodily autonomy and Toastmasters

6 个月

Grant Crowell - AMAZING - and I am digging these images. What a good word "creaturd"!

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Jennifer Le

Instructional Designer | LXD | Learning & Development

6 个月

I love reading these!

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