“Plus it or do it!” What type of creative director are you?

I had always been known as a “hands on” art director who cared a ton, and got the job done.

This approached served me well, as I grew. I was one of those rare birds who was a solid creative with the added bonus of understanding the business. And eventually, I found myself in the role of Creative Director.

As it happens, it wasn’t exactly the job I thought it was. After years of doing my own ads, it was my turn to help other people do theirs. Not as easy.

The beginning was a learning curve for sure. Meeting after meeting in which everyone turned to me for my opinion. I wasn’t prepared for how mentally exhausted I would be. Plus – my ego suffered, as I didn’t feel like I was actually delivering the work myself anymore. No “kudos” emails. No fanfare.

Not only was I dealing with a dozen different projects a day. I also had to make sure the people entering my office, left with a clear idea of what to do next, and felt motivated to do so. (And no mercy, if they came with thin ideas by the way.) I was second-guessing myself as a creative. Was I providing any value at all? Or had I just become a glorified manager?

Here’s what I quickly learned: a good creative director needs to have the respect of the department. And that comes, from my teams knowing I have the experience, and can jump in and do the job myself.

They need to believe that I have all the answers. I’ve been there, solved that problem, and succeeded because of it. I’m paid for my opinion. And that’s only worth anything, if it’s backed up by more than mere intuition.

Here are a few somewhat obvious tricks that I employed: be honest, expect the best of people and try and solve the problems they present me with. And above all else, it’s about the work (as you would be surprised how many problems simply go away when one is actually making work.)

And so, somewhere along the way, I started loving it. As it turns out, I actually relish the ability to have a positive influence – on creative work, on people’s careers and on the culture of a business.

Now, I know the type of Creative Director I am. While I selfishly still love jumping in and doing the work myself, I am absolutely more motivated to empower others, and help them find their super power talent.

Which one are you? A “pluser,” or “doer?”

Tags | creative director hands on manage team empower ideas