What kind of marks are you leaving?

I recently came across this photo that I took in New York, in an office at 285 Madison Avenue – the old Y&R building.

I took this photo during a large pitch involving several high-profile agencies. I had taken ownership of an empty office to work on my portion of the presentation. Upon closing the door, I noticed the stains left behind from someone’s coat hangers and, as I am prone to do, let my mind wander to try and tell the story of the person that placed the coat hangers there.

I imagined the prior owner of the office as a middle-aged ‘Mad Man’ type of guy. Possibly someone involved with the Philip Morris account who proved his loyalty to the agency and the brand throughout the day. First thing in the morning. During meetings. After presentations; celebrating the good and punctuating the bad. The office wasn’t quite big enough for a bar. But, the desk had plenty of drawers for a flask.

Because the hanger marks were bare, I’m guessing he preferred to work with his suitcoat on. Always ready for the next meeting. All business.

That pitch took place just prior to a terrible tragedy that would happen in the main lobby of the building, killing someone that had helped the team immensely during the pitch. The building would be sold about a year later. I can’t imagine that door still exists today. ?

Outside of the photo and imagine that is equally burned into my memory, there is no longer any trace of the person who walked in and out of that office for what seems to have been many years. I’ll never know him or her. Or what they were really like.

Today, I am co-owner of a 100% virtual advertising agency. I don’t smoke. And my office – though not tidy – is of moderately newer construction. From time to time, I think of that door and that image and wonder what kind of marks I’m leaving on the business world. Or if I am leaving any at all.

Then I received a note from someone I worked with on a broadcast project many years ago. The note coming completely out of the blue. Fortunately, a very friendly shade of blue.

Paraphrasing, it read: “Thought about you today. Was thinking about how much fun it was working together. I hope we’ll get to work together again.” He went on to update me on some awesome projects he’s been working on. And congratulated me for doing my own thing. Something he always felt would happen. ?

I know exactly what project he was referring to. And we did have a great time, despite some rather challenging obstacles we had to overcome.

The advertising business has changed greatly over the years. A ton since our imagined friend in New York placed two hangers behind his door. And quite a bit since I decided to make this my passion and career.

The demands of advertising have always been high. But the expectations and speed at which projects move today are sometimes daunting. The stakes are high. And so are the emotions. When you truly want to do great work, you must really put yourself out there. And when you share ideas, you’re unprotected from subjectivity and unfriendly fire.

It’s not rare for great ideas to die. Sometimes quickly. Without regard to the work and thinking you put into them. It’s the nature of this business. And if you don’t have thick skin, you will not last long.

One of the strengths of this type of work is also a weakness. You meet and work with people of all types and manners. Some great. Some quirky. Some funny. Some horrible. Some that are just downright nasty. One of the benefits of owning your own company is that you don’t have to suffer the nasty ones.

I often joke that I’m the only asshole I have to work with now.

Receiving that email was nice on many levels. It feels good when someone you worked with so briefly remembers you years later. And their memory is pleasant enough to warrant a spontaneous note.

The project we worked on together came out fantastic. But it’s not on my reel. It’s a commercial that a lot of people I will never know saw a few times years ago. Or missed as they ran to the restroom or while their attention was on another screen.

I know that people don’t sit at home longing to see the work that I do. Most are annoyed by it. Including my kids who feel that pre-roll ads were created by Satan.

But if you work in the business, you know the immense amount of effort that goes into creating ads and content. And you appreciate the partnerships it takes. So, it’s no surprise that you can make fast friends in the process.

I have always wanted to leave good impressions with people I work with. Clients. Printers. Directors … producers … photographers … editors … clients … craft services. Always … always befriend craft services. Unless you’re trying to lose weight.

But, it’s simple, really. When you’re nice to people and they enjoy working with you, you’ll do your best work. And they’ll want to work with you again. ?

This is one of the reasons I’ve worked with one art director for over 12 years now, who, subsequently, co-owns our agency. She’s incredible at her job. But she also shares my desire to be a good person. That’s a priority we share. Also, if we’re going to be honest with one another, she is somehow able to put up with me.

For as many years as I can remember, I have always made it a goal to make at least one person laugh every day. Including when I’m alone. Sometimes, you, yourself is your toughest customer.

But it pays off. Sometimes in a simple email that lets you know you are leaving positive marks in the world. The kind that won’t be easily forgotten behind an old door.

Help make someone laugh today. You’ll be glad you did.

And when you do, share the story with me: [email protected]