How to Herd Cats (and Manage Creatives)
Amy Vaughan
???? On a mission to close the pay gap by closing the networking gap. CEO // Tech Founder // Speaker // Podcast Host // Goldman Sachs 10KSB Alum
Not every creative person is a people person. Some of the most brilliantly creative people in history are also the most reclusive. But, part of growing as an advertising creative is managing other creatives (like it or not).
For me, managing has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career and (most days), my favorite part of the job. But it’s also a lot like herding cats: cats that are either preening, purring, or clawing one another’s eyes out. You have to figure out not only how to get their attention but also how to get them to work together and create.
So, whether you’re all out of cat nip or considering creative management, here are four things that have helped me over the last four years.
#1 - Say What You Mean; Mean What You Say
A big part of the creative director role is saying the right things, at the right time, to the right set of ears. Suddenly people are listening and looking to you for clarity and inspiration. That’s not always easy in our topsy-turvy industry.
Choose your words wisely, and use them to inspire and lead others to action.
#2 – They’ve Already Packed, So Leave Your Baggage at Home
We all have baggage. We all have moments in our career that cause us to react before we think. But part of becoming a more senior member of creative is learning to set aside your baggage knowing that your more junior staff learns to react how you react.
#3 – Find Perfection in the Imperfections
Save perfectionism for the work, and make allowances for yourselves and others. No one is perfect—don’t let the flaws of others keep you from seeing their potential, and don’t let your flaws or failures hold you back from getting up and trying again.
#4 – Trust and R-e-s-p-e-c-t
A coworker of mine once said that the two things you need for any relationship to work (business or personal) is trust and respect. Over the years I’ve held on to that philosophy and realized the truth of it. You’ll neither give (nor get) 110% when there is no trust or respect involved. I can’t say it enough; relationships are critical.
#5 – (Bonus!) Make it Fun
Every day will be a new challenge. Celebrate the small wins and keep your creatives inspired to conquer the next hurdle by making even the hard times something worth laughing about.
Manager, Loyalty Rewards | Strategy | Delivery | Brand Experience | Leadership | MBA, PMP, RN | Worked with 40+ different brands / agencies across the world
9 年I loved this article, Amy. I miss working with you nearly every single day. As an account person, you were the yin to my yang. Don't ever change and keep being awesome!
Stellantis Onsite Account Manager at Advertising Checking Bureau (ACB)
9 年We call it a goat rodeo...
???? On a mission to close the pay gap by closing the networking gap. CEO // Tech Founder // Speaker // Podcast Host // Goldman Sachs 10KSB Alum
9 年Agreed! Lines draw boxes, and our industry is changing too fast for that kind of thinking. The triple threat CDs have an eye on the work, the people, and the business. All the best have to as they all depend on one another.
Retired as of 2022
9 年One of the toughest hurdles is getting over the dated ATL/BTL/TTL fallacy. I still see CDs from other agencies fixating on this. You're not above it, you're not below it. There is no line. If you, your agency, or your customer still sees a line, it's most likely because you or your agency drew it. One of the many things I respect about our CD is the fact that he moved beyond this sort of thinking many years ago. Once creatives understand the nature of today's advertising, they change not only in how they design, but in how they approach the work, communications, and pretty much everything in their profession.