Love this post. Just read a couple of books about Alfred Adler, a contemporary of Freud who believed that human beings gathered together in "societies" because we were weak alone but it wasn't just the herding. Animals herd. Humans are the only species on the planet that performs "division of labor". Adler believes that EVERY JOB in society is just as important as all the others. And we should celebrate all people as being a part of the whole. Nobody can do it all. :) (The books are called The Courage To Be Disliked and The Courage To Be Happy and i recommend them highly.)
For years, I held the belief that in advertising, the moment you'd succeed at something, you'd get promoted to a position where you could fail. Though I may not use the same phrasing now, I still maintain that the example you present in this post is spot on. Those who know me are aware that I have experienced the challenges faced by being in those AD and CD (even CCO) athlete shoes. For much of my career, I lacked guidance in navigating these roles, but once I found a coach, I saw improvement in all aspects of my work. While I don't make every shot I take, my average score has improved significantly by focusing on my strengths, such as my ability to identify the right ideas and my knack for bringing teams and clients together to pull it off. As for me, I'm committed to continually honing my skills, even those that require more effort, as I believe the skills-learning game is never done. As for my people, I ask them to double down on accepting ours is a team sport that's about 'we', not me.
I love the 'focus on your natural strengths' advice. It's ridiculously easy to get lost in a sea of 'I can do that.' Like I can build websites, but it's not what I ought to be doing. Same with account service. Not my cup of tea. I'm learnin', Rob, with your help and the help of others.
Your post liberated me from years of berating myself for being unwilling, despite the attempts of others, to break into the "c-suite" in lieu of my love of having ideas and making them. Which is the lane I'm staying in. Thank you.
Love this post. Just read a couple of books about Alfred Adler, a contemporary of Freud who believed that human beings gathered together in "societies" because we were weak alone but it wasn't just the herding. Animals herd. Humans are the only species on the planet that performs "division of labor". Adler believes that EVERY JOB in society is just as important as all the others. And we should celebrate all people as being a part of the whole. Nobody can do it all. :) (The books are called The Courage To Be Disliked and The Courage To Be Happy and i recommend them highly.)
Interesting. And good recos. Thanks, Tom!
For years, I held the belief that in advertising, the moment you'd succeed at something, you'd get promoted to a position where you could fail. Though I may not use the same phrasing now, I still maintain that the example you present in this post is spot on. Those who know me are aware that I have experienced the challenges faced by being in those AD and CD (even CCO) athlete shoes. For much of my career, I lacked guidance in navigating these roles, but once I found a coach, I saw improvement in all aspects of my work. While I don't make every shot I take, my average score has improved significantly by focusing on my strengths, such as my ability to identify the right ideas and my knack for bringing teams and clients together to pull it off. As for me, I'm committed to continually honing my skills, even those that require more effort, as I believe the skills-learning game is never done. As for my people, I ask them to double down on accepting ours is a team sport that's about 'we', not me.
I love the 'focus on your natural strengths' advice. It's ridiculously easy to get lost in a sea of 'I can do that.' Like I can build websites, but it's not what I ought to be doing. Same with account service. Not my cup of tea. I'm learnin', Rob, with your help and the help of others.
Happy to help.
Your post liberated me from years of berating myself for being unwilling, despite the attempts of others, to break into the "c-suite" in lieu of my love of having ideas and making them. Which is the lane I'm staying in. Thank you.
This feels like it could become a book. There's big truth here.