Where do creative ideas come from? Nobody knows for sure. I believe ideas are spawned from memories in our brains that are randomly assembled by triggers. Like a bouillabaisse struck by lightning. 

As an art director, most of my ideas come when I’m not forcing them. They seem to come while driving on the freeway, taking a shower, flipping through a magazine, or listening to a song. And usually in the morning. Many creatives—perhaps most—generate more ideas this way. 

Why are we more prolific when working alone rather than in brainstorming sessions with others? Perhaps because most creatives are introverts. Or perhaps because the purest ideas are born of a singular vision. Regardless, when it comes to generating creative solutions, we may be shortchanging ourselves by working alone.

Brainstorming with other people is a powerful way to accelerate idea creation, but only if it’s done right—by actually talking. Too often creatives get together and just silently stare at the wall, afraid to share ideas until they’re fully baked. In those moments, we only have fragments of ideas floating around in our heads, so we sit silently because we’re afraid of being judged.

I’ve learned that establishing ground rules in brainstorming sessions helps immensely. Just declaring to the other person(s) to be prepared to hear bad ideas and fragments of ideas will clear the air and give everyone permission to speak freely. Because when effective brainstorming is happening, it’s electric.

How many times have you been chatting with your creative partner and he or she begins to share an idea, then halfway through their explanation you suddenly have an idea too? For me, this happens all the time. In those moments I can barely restrain myself from interrupting. After patiently waiting until they’ve finished sharing, I’ve often said, “Where I thought you were going was…” and then I proceed to share my perspective. 

I believe the magic happening in these situations is free association. Words trigger images that open paths to new ideas. But a necessary component to fueling this magic is to create a non-judgmental space where each person has permission to share bad ideas or partial ideas. Because a bad idea could trigger a good one. 

Next time you meet with your creative partner for 30 minutes to brainstorm, simply talk more. Don’t edit. Share whatever comes to mind. Lightning might strike.

(Disclaimer: It’s worthing mentioning that I am not endorsing “open-concept” workspaces. I am endorsing small group brainstorming, preferably in a quiet space. While open-concept seating maximizes space, it most likely hurts creativity and productivity by relentless distracting people, and disrupting deep thinking.)

---



25 pearls of wisdom that will help you survive (and thrive) during the peaks and valleys of your career. Whether you’re a full-timer or freelancer.

Nobody has mastered all of the following principles. It’s likely impossible. But the more you follow, the better you’ll be. If I had the chance to sit down with my 24-year-old self, 24 years ago… this is what I would say.

1. Crowd surf.


Nobody is a born master. It takes time and effort. More than you think. It might seem obvious that you must master your craft to be successful, but most people aren’t intentional about it. They punch out at 5 and spend the rest of their time vegging. Study any top sports star, musician virtuoso, or bestselling author. They’ve all spent thousands of hours toiling to become great. Like 2, 3 and 4 X the amount of time that everyone else spends. Want to be the Pai Mei of your world? Be prepared to grind. But don’t stop when you think you’ve become the master. Keep going. You must evolve your skills (and your tastes) over time. Do this and you’ll always stay above the crowd.

2. Hack brains.


This is the second most important career principle to learn after becoming the master of your craft… study psychology and learn how to sell. Read books on salesmanship and negotiation. Learn to communicate effectively. It changes the game. No matter what you do, you must collaborate with co-creators, deal with bosses, and present to clients. What good are your brilliant ideas if you can’t persuade people to buy them? Many books have been written on this subject. Go read some. (See the 'Survival Kit' at the bottom of this post.)

If you only take away two things from this post, take these two above. If you want more, read on.

3. Water the plants.


It’s absolutely imperative that you maintain a healthy network by keeping your professional contacts fresh. This is especially difficult if you’re an introvert like me, but you must try. People will phase in and out of your professional life, and some will go onto bigger and better things. If you keep those relationships alive, it increases your chances of working with them again. Most all of my jobs have come from referrals. If I didn’t have the contacts, I wouldn’t have had the referrals. And I’m not alone, most of my creative friends and colleagues say the same thing. Build your network and feed it.

4. Spread the love.


Strive to be generous and give creative referrals wherever possible. Think of it as paying it forward. This is especially helpful when freelancing. It might seem counterintuitive, since you are, after all, a competitor to other freelancers. However, creative colleagues and recruiters are likely to reciprocate if you are generous and helpful. And it creates good karma. Try it. It works.

5. Be the oxygen.


Become indispensable by always overdelivering. When you deliver more value than other people, you leave a lasting impression. On the few rare occasions that I have failed to follow this principle and simply “phoned it in,” I robbed myself of repeat business. And you never know who you might impress by overdelivering. Even if they seem insignificant at the time, people move up and never forget the impressions you leave behind.

6. Don’t masturbate. 


When you have downtime, resist the urge to just watch movies or play video games. It might be fun, but strive to do something creative and useful. Work on your book, screenplay, film, mix-tape, blog, painting, or whatever. You’re a creator, so create. Especially if you’re not getting real fulfillment from your weekday job. You’ll feel more fulfilled in life and you’ll thank yourself later. 

True, it’s important to decompress once in a while, but try to keep it in measure. My friend Rich Siegel puts this way: “Say something incredibly rude on Facebook [and] get yourself booted from this awful time suck. And spend that time doing useful things, like cold calls, networking and book reading.”

7. Quit often.


It’s tempting to get comfortable in a full-time job, especially when you’re making good money. That’s why they call it The Golden Handcuffs. I’ve learned this the hard way. But if you’re not moving, growing and challenging yourself, you’ll eventually become irrelevant. And when you do finally get laid off—and it happens to just about everyone—nobody will want you. However, if you move around often (maybe every 3-5 years) then you’ll create more diverse experiences and more diverse relationships. Which is only a good thing.

8. Build a war chest.


It’s surprising how few people actually save money. Like my friend, Susan Alinsangan says, “Nothing gives you confidence, composure, and self-assurance like being backed up by substantial savings.” And Rich Siegel put it like this, “With a grab bag of invoices and checks it’s easy to lose track of time and money, which by the way are the same thing.” 

Living on the financial edge makes you more likely to make bad career decisions out of desperation. Don’t make that mistake. Be disciplined and create a cushion. It helps relieve anxiety. 

9. Don’t be a D-bag.


As my friend, Chris Pouy says, “It’s not easy in an industry with fragile egos and big personalities, but if you’re mean, disrespectful or rude to the people you work with then you’re doing it wrong.” I couldn’t agree more. “If you need this explained to you, go ask your mom,” adds Alinsangan. Being a jerk might have propelled careers 50 years ago, but not anymore. Even if you’re a brilliant jerk. As Reed Hastings said, “Some companies tolerate them. For us, the cost to effective teamwork is too high.” And that sentiment is spreading. So if being a jerk is part of your stock and trade, be prepared to become a fossil.

10. Remember family.


Got a husband? A wife? A family? A dog? Susan Alinsangan says, “At the end of the day, family is who you go home to. Not your ad buddies. Hopefully, they go home to their own families.” It’s true. Why you’re 80, you’ll scarcely remember your professional triumphs. By then, your personal relationships and human connections will be what matters most. Don’t let those die in pursuit of fame and fortune. Or you’ll be pretty lonely sitting on that pile of gold and award show medals. 

11. Vacate. 


Whether you live to work or work to live, take a vacation. Often. The mind and body need rest. And your family needs quality time with you. In a study of deathbed regrets, the second most common regret was working too much at the expense of family and relationships (especially for men). Don’t make that same mistake. When you’re old, it’s irreversible.

12. Try to click.


If you work as part of a creative team, be a good partner. Alinsangan adds, “If you’re one of those people who are so awesome you don’t need a partner, this doesn’t apply to you. But if two people decide to be good [creative] partners, it’s crazy fun and sometimes great work happens.” 

Being a good partner means not only respecting each other but creating a safe space for bad ideas. Open and frequent dialogue is a major pathway to idea creation, but if you’re too embarrassed to share a bad idea, you’ll get blocked up. Think of bad ideas as fertilizer. It stinks but helps things grow. Bad ideas can inspire great ones. Don’t discourage them. Just put them on paper and move on.

13. Have an exit strategy.


“In case of fire, you should always have one when you move into a new home… and when you get a new job, in case of disillusionment,” says Susan Alinsangan. I concur. Try to keep your portfolio up to date. It’s your parachute. And keeping your professional network fresh is like another parachute (see #2).

14. Prepare for feast and famine.


Many things in life are cyclical, constantly going up and down. Be ready. Chris Pouy says, “Especially if you’re a freelancer or thinking about going freelance… be prepared to endure the ebb and flow. The highs are high (you could make a down payment on a house) and the lows are even lower (dipping into your Roth IRA.) Prepare accordingly, mentally, emotionally and financially.” 

Don’t just blindly traipse through life, living in the moment, thinking that flush times will last forever. They don’t.

15. Pick your battles.


“If you argue with everyone all the time about everything then when you really need to lay on your sword it will turn into aluminum foil,” says Pouy. “Plus everyone will hate you. Choose your moments carefully.” I can attest to this truism. It’s particularly true if you’re a freelancer. My friend Tony Stern once said, “Freelancers are hired to be the aspirin, not the headache.” So spar sparingly.

16. Go wide angle.


Even though mastering a single skill is paramount, that doesn’t mean you can’t broaden your skillset. Are you an art director? Dabble in graphic design or animation. Are you an advertising writer? Dabble in blogging or screenwriting. Are you a photographer? Dabble in filmmaking or VR. You might just discover that you’re good at multiple things, which not only opens other doors but creates some variety in your life.

17. Niche down.


This might seem completely contradictory to point number 16, but it’s not. Whatever your primary mastered skill is, find a way to niche down by specializing in a distinct style. 

For example, let’s say you’re a graphic designer. It’s tempting to have an eclectic portfolio because we all have multiple interests and we instinctively want to appeal to a mass audience. But it’s a mistake. An eclectic portfolio makes you appear dispassionate and unfocused. Find your niche. Maybe you’re into retro vector-style geometric design. Maybe it’s ornate, Victorian-style design. Maybe it’s an urban street-style design. Focus on your favorite, then strive to be known for that style—first and foremost. It will make you stand out from the rest. 

Doing this doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily become typecast. People reinvent themselves all the time. Think of your creative career as chapters or seasons, each with its own dominant and distinct style. Unless of course you only like one style of art and have no interest in evolving. That’s fine too, as long as you master that style.

18. Exploit the internet.


There are so many ways to monetize your creative skill set. You don’t have to give away your work for pennies on Fiverr or similar race-to-the-bottom platforms. There are other platforms to publish your creations. Etsy, Amazon, Redbubble, Shutterstock, Teachable, Envato, Musicbed, YouTube and many more. Or build your own platform using Shopify or Wordpress. 

If you’re not creatively fulfilled with your day job, or you’re tired of being poor, give it a go. But start soon because it usually takes at least 2-3 years to see some return on your investment. Who knows, you might just strike lightening. (There are podcast episodes explaining how to do it, by people who have done it. Look for them.)

19. Raise your prices.


Many people are under the impression that charging lower rates will create more opportunities. But it’s simply not true. Research repeatedly shows that there’s a direct correlation between how much something costs and its perceived value. And when you’re perceived to be more valuable, you’re consequently treated better by an employer or client.

In simple terms, the more you cost the better they treat you. And you’re worth more than you think. The photographer Chase Jarvis shared some valuable advice on this.

If you’ve been honing your craft and selling in your marketplace for 10 years or more, you could definitely be charging more. Especially when you consider there’s only one you. 

If what you do is an un-special commodity, you may be the exception. So break free and de-commoditize yourself by specializing and mastering in something.

20. Tool up.


Creative apps unleash superpowers. As a visual storyteller, I’ve expanded my toolbox from mere desktop publishing apps for graphic design and layout, into animation, video editing, music production, and film production. I may not be a master at all of them, but I now have the capability to singlehandedly bring ideas to life—into finished form. And then publish it on the internet. It feels good. Creative tools can help you make massive leaps. This was a key selling point for Apple by Steve Jobs back in 1980.

21. Enjoy the ride.


It feels amazing to create for a living. Even on the bad days, creative jobs are more fulfilling than most. But don’t take things too seriously. You’re not curing cancer with your art. So have fun. Bring some levity to work every day and spread the joy. Create a lighter environment. Fill the room with dopamineoxytocin, and serotonin—through levity and positive social interactions. It will inspire more creativity and better ideas. Whereas cortisol—the stress chemical—kills creativity (and eventually you, for that matter). I was reminded of these truths when I heard about film director, Taika Waititi, on the set of Thor: Ragnarok. Apparently, everyone loved working with him because he made the experience fun and casual. And who could argue with the results?

22. Be humble.


Snobbery and egotism is a real problem in the creative world. Sometimes artists think they’re being discerning and confident, but they’re actually being arrogant and offensive. And think of this: even the most brilliant creatives strike out once in a while. Every well-known movie director has made some stinkers. It happens. And it happens most when we become overconfident from lack of humility. Unless you’re sitting on a mountain of cash and can afford to piss off everyone, lose all your friends, and never work again—be humble.

23. Boss you.


You might just be the world’s worst boss. Why? Because, as Seth Godin said, “Even if you’re not self-employed, your boss is you. You manage your career, your day, your responses. You manage how you sell your services and your education and the way you talk to yourself.” I love that. You are culpable for the outcome of your career. Not someone else. After all, you control your own destiny. So being the best boss ever is as simple as striving for mastery and not compromising in life.

24. Accept reality.


The world isn’t fair. Life is hard. And good guys never win. That’s what your inner cynic might try to convince you. But it’s all a lie. The reality is if you’re living in the free world, have an internet connection and a credit card, then anything is possible. The sky is truly the limit. Nothing is holding you back, except you. 

Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of people in this world: (1) those who believe external powers control their destiny, and (2) those who believe internal powers control their destiny. Your success depends upon what you believe. Like Henry Ford said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”

25. Believe.


We all have self-doubt. In a study of top CEO’s, the vast majority of them suffered from imposter syndrome. For creatives, it’s natural to question your own judgment at times (personally, I think it’s healthy). But you must believe in your own subjective tastes to succeed. It’s what makes you you. But then you must also equally accept others. As the famous artist, Jeff Koons, “The journey of art starts with self-acceptance—the subjective. Once you accept yourself, you are able to move on to the objective—the highest state—which is the acceptance of others.” 

Thanks for reading. Please see the 'Survival Kit' below. And feel free to leave a comment or add something that you think I left out.

Footnote: For more juicy nuggets, read this post by my friend, George Tannenbaum.

———

SURVIVAL KIT:


The following 8 books should be required reading for every creative person, regardless of discipline. They are timeless. They helped change the way I think about creativity, salesmanship, audience-building, and life. 





by Chris Voss

by Sally Hogshead

by Steven Pressfield

by Seth Godin

by Seth Godin

by Paul Arden

by Paul Arden

by Ryan Holiday



Enjoy.


———

Note: There are a few affiliate links in this post. Things I recommend. I’m paid a small referral fee if you happen to click and make a purchase (no additional cost to you of course.) Thanks for clicking!



.
Not long ago, I reached out to a freelancer friend to ask for an agency recruiter email address but they refused to share it with me. They apologized politely and told me that I was “the competition,” therefore couldn’t oblige. 

I completely understand this mindset, but I don’t agree with it.

My philosophy is, there’s more to be gained by a collaborative, community-based approach, where freelancers openly share contacts and references. I routinely share my contacts with other freelancers and I benefit when they return the favor. 

Not only that, when I’m contacted by an agency recruiter while I’m already booked on a gig, I always provide them with a list of names of other freelancers. And I know those freelancers will do the same.

Then, recently something happened. Another friend of mine shared a comprehensive Google doc containing dozens of agency recruiter emails, built up by a community of freelancers. It expanded my contact list by 10x and I was pretty stoked.

Now, I’m not a vindictive person, but I must admit I was very tempted to refuse to share this list with the freelancer friend who refused to share that single contact with me. 

I think my natural reaction illustrates a principle… we are hardwired to mirror the actions taken toward us. When someone is nice to us, we tend to be nice back. When we are treated poorly we become vindictive. It may not be right but we can’t help it.

So, in an effort to contradict my own human nature, and show a gesture of goodwill, I shared the list with my freelancer friend. I have not yet heard back.

Generosity can only be a good thing. Closing myself off from others only hurts me. If I make myself an island, I might end up as a castaway.

.......
I’m fascinated by the aging process. As I’ve grown older, I’ve grown wiser. However, I’m discovering that, culturally, my growth is much slower. My tastes seem to remain locked in time, like an ancient mosquito imprisoned in amber. And, as much as I hate to admit it, I suspect it’s affecting my creative judgement.
The other day I found myself recoiling at a popular music track that had a couple hundred million views on YouTube. I shook my head and wondered how young people could listen to such derivative, unimaginative noise. And then it hit me… I sound like an old man. Like the ones I heard railing against my generation when I was younger.
It got me thinking.
Apple’s “1984” TV commercial is considered the best ad of all time. However, it would likely be received with yawns if it ran on TV in 2016 for the first time. That’s because an ad dramatizing a dystopian future in which a specific product is the cure has since been done to death. And yet marketing departments are still studying and imitating old ads and old formulas.
Should senior advertising executives retire earlier in their careers and hand over the reigns to someone younger before they become anchors in their companies? It’s a good question.
Over the years, I’ve had many advertising clients in their 40’s and 50’s who were painfully out of touch. Now I’m realizing that I’m not immune from that disease and it’s given me more perspective.
I’m only in my mid forties, but if I’m honest, I have to admit that I’m more and more out of touch with popular culture. The culture I’m appealing to every day.
So how can we possibly stay current as we age? I don’t know. It’s a vicious treadmill. And the speed setting is currently up around 9.5.
I think the answer is this: as senior advertising executives age they must be more self-aware and question their creative judgement more often. And trust younger execs who are more in tune with the core audience. That kind of approach is a true sign of maturity and humility.
-------
Right now, you have a million dollar idea in your head. You probably have two or three of them. Have you ever stopped to consider that there are thousands of people just like you who will bring their million dollar ideas to life in the next 5 years?

In 5 years, a currently unknown musician will win a Grammy. In 5 years, a currently unknown actor will win an Oscar. In 5 years, a currently unknown chef will get her own TV show. In 5 years, a currently unknown entrepreneur will be offered a billion dollars to sell his company. In 5 years, a currently unknown technology will change our lives. We could go on and on.

Every world changing idea existed in someone’s mind before it ever became a reality. So the big question is: why can’t that idea come from you?

Envision a future when your idea has already become a reality. Tell yourself you’re going to do it, big or small. Fixate on it. Obsess about it. Imagine it happening. Make yourself act upon it.

Never in history has so much possibility been so attainable. Never before have people achieved their wildest dreams so quickly. Ideas can become viral almost overnight. Including yours.

Five years from now, things will exist that are now only thoughts. Will your thought be one of them? It won’t if you keep it shackled inside your head.

-------
In the last 18 months, I’ve spent a considerable amount of time reading books and listening to podcasts detailing the backstories of highly successful people. Inventors, tycoons, philanthropists—who’s names you’d recognize. People who relentlessly chased their dreams. People who are highly admired and sometimes worshiped. People considered to be geniuses.

I have come to the firm conclusion that, in most every case, those people didn’t possess any superior abilities or intellect than the rest of us. In fact, there was a time when those same people were completely unknown. They didn’t suddenly become geniuses overnight. They were geniuses the whole time. 

After 20 years as a creative in advertising, I’ve learned that genius ideas are rarely recognized for their genius. The only thing that gives an idea the recognition it deserves is actually selling it. 

Salesmanship might be the most important skill a person can acquire. If Steve Jobs was unable to successfully sell the first computer that he and Steve Wozniak created, we might have never heard of them. If Henry Ford was unable to successfully convince the public to buy his motorized buggy, he would have faded into obscurity. If Thomas Edison was unable to sell his light bulb, we might still be using kerosene lamps. 

Now, I understand these weren’t the only innovators in their categories, so those advancements might have been inevitable. But the point is, without salesmanship, great ideas go nowhere. So why don’t we spend more time training ourselves to be better salespeople? Why isn’t it emphasized more in school?

Everything requires salesmanship. Men and women must sell themselves to each other as suitable partners worthy of marriage. We must sell ourselves to potential employers to get that job we want. An actor must sell himself to a director in order to get the part. The director must sell the premise of his movie to build an audience. A politician must sell his or her ideals to the public in exchange for votes. Nothing can be bought (or endorsed) by anyone unless it is first sold. All negotiation is sales. All diplomacy is sales. All teaching is sales.

Every audience must be convinced and sold. But how we sell is another subject entirely. There are many books written about it, so take your pick.

I’ve never been the greatest salesman. I’ve worked at it, but I’ve naively assumed that idea development deserved the lion’s share of my focus. For the longest time, I just thought great ideas would be automatically recognized. Wrong. It very rarely happened. Maybe one percent of the time, if the stars aligned just right.

The next time that you endeavor to convince someone of something or sell a product or service, you are doing yourself and your idea a massive disservice if you are a weak salesperson. 

Which brings us back to genius. We each have it, locked away somewhere inside us, waiting to be honed and developed. What separates the acknowledged geniuses from the rest of us is that they successfully sold their genius. They promoted themselves and their ideas masterfully and reaped the benefits. Had they failed to do that, their genius inventions would be covered in cobwebs somewhere in the recesses of their minds.

As the late Steve Jobs said, “Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you, and you can change it, you can influence it….that’s maybe the most important thing, is to shake off this erroneous notion that life is there and you’re just going to live in it, versus embrace it, change it, improve it, make your mark upon it….once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.”

Whatever idea has been nagging you to get out. Let it see the light of day. Nurture it. Learn how to sell it. It might be a genius idea that could change peoples lives.


-------
Leadership can be challenging. Among other things, it takes confidence. Nobody wants to follow a weak, apprehensive leader. Therefore you must project confidence in order to inspire others to follow you. But there isn’t a pill that you can just pop and instantly become confident. So most people fake it. 

You might have ascended the corporate ladder and been placed in charge of other people through your intelligence, charisma, charm, enthusiasm, hard work or some other way. But, no matter what, you must have confidence.

Most leaders, in their effort to show confidence, become very unsavory. If you lead people, take this evaluation to see if you have true confidence or just arrogance masquerading as confidence. 

1. Do you refuse to admit error?
Let’s face it, no human being is immune to this character flaw. We all hate to admit we’re wrong. We erroneously assume that admission of error is a sign of weakness. But it’s not. It shows other people that you can be truthful with yourself, which instills greater trust in your followers. We all know that nobody knows everything, and nobody bats a thousand. Sometimes we strike out. If you refuse to admit error, stop pretending. We’re not buying it. Just say, “I messed up on that one.” Then correct course. That will earn heaps of respect from everyone.

2. Do you refuse to accept criticism?
You can spot an insecure person by how defensive they get when they are critiqued or criticized. Especially if they are immediately defensive. A person who is self-aware will listen to criticism and internalize it before responding. They do so because they seek self-improvement and allow themselves a moment to consider whether or not the criticism is valid. We are not always right. And we don’t always see the flaws others can see. If this is you, start welcoming criticism. True leaders not only welcome it, but they invite it. 

3. Do you ever ask for input? 
A person who never asks for advice is a pathetic soul indeed. We all need input. It’s impossible to have effective output without quality input. Transfer of information must be a two way street. No matter what your level of achievement, there’s always something more to learn. Plus, our subordinates often have genius thoughts and ideas they hesitate to share, perhaps out of their own insecurity. If you simply say, “What do you think?” you can coax those ideas out of them and potentially revel in the genius together. Or even inspire additional ideas.

4. Do you order people or ask them?
Some people love to exercise their authority. They love to command and control. But true leaders prefer to inspire and empower. They request instead of demand. It's been said that Andrew Carnegie, the famous tycoon and philanthropist, always asked people to do this or that task. He’d say, “Do you think you could take this on?” or “How do you feel about performing this task?” The magic in this approach is that people are far more likely to work harder if they feel apart of the decision instead of subjected to it. It’s just simple psychology. 

5. Do you swagger?
Swagger never invokes the awe and respect that swaggerers believe it does. Their refusal to make eye contact, their refusal to acknowledge other people in the halls, their obsession with appearances, and their slow, meandering stride—as if they’re unburdened by responsibility of any kind. Then there’s their condescending remarks and their dismissal of input or ideas. You know what I mean. The only thing missing is the stench. This is a true sign of insecurity. Truly confident people don’t need a facade. They’re comfortable in their own skin.

6. Do you love flattery?
Everyone blushes when they’re complimented, but most people tend to get uncomfortable when it’s excessive. But not arrogant people. They can’t get enough. In fact, they often surround themselves with brown-nosers. Contrarily, leaders with true confidence care little for flattery. It offends their sense of humility. They’d rather shine a light on their mission or their team instead of themselves. 

7. Do you have compassion?
The aforementioned character traits are bad enough, but leaders who project an emotionless, robotic image can invoke the icy chill of post-war Stalinist Russia. That is not an environment that inspires people to do their best work. It’s an environment that inspires people to search for a new job. Next time you have to ask someone to work late or take on an uncomfortable task, show compassion and sensitivity. Feel bad about it. Maybe roll up your sleeves and help. And when your subordinates deliver for you, reward their loyalty and dedication with something special. A bonus, a free lunch, a shoutout, whatever. Compassion and appreciation goes a long way.

I’m sure there are additional signs that you are mistaking your arrogance for confidence. But seven feels like a nice number.

If you lead people, avoid the perils of the above points. To be confident you don’t have to be pompous and prickly. Build true confidence through belief. When your beliefs are founded on truths, you’ll have natural confidence. But have the humility to accept new information and grow. The more you learn—while staying honest, humble and compassionate—the more truly confident you’ll become. And the more people will gladly traverse mountains for you.


———
What separates you from highly effective, successful people? I’ve asked myself this question many times. In my case, the answer can be summed up in one word: initiative. 

I’m perhaps more successful than 99% of the population, but I haven’t had the impact on the world that I’ve dreamed of having. A lot of people like me dream of having an impact on the world but never do. If all of the ideas that remain trapped in our minds could be realized, we’d all be healthier, happier and richer. By “all” I mean everyone on earth.

I know I have ideas just as good as any successful billionaire entrepreneur. But how do I act on them? That’s the question. That’s the crux of the problem for every one of us. That one word, initiative.

I really hate fear. I’ve been timid my whole life and it sucks. Before I broke into the advertising business, I had to make the first calls to creative directors and ask them to see my portfolio. That was tough for me. It seems pathetic now when I think back on it. But in some ways I’m still struggling with apprehension. I envy those who can just walk up to the high dive and jump off without a second thought. I was one who stood at the edge of the diving board and just looked down fearfully. The longer I stood there, the scarier it became. 

One method that has helped me to get past the apprehension and take initiative is this:
I state my intentions publicly.

I’ve heard arguments against this method, but it’s worked for me. Much like Hernán Cortés, when he scuttled his ships to prevent his men from retreating during their conquest of the Aztecs, declaring my goals publicly makes me feel more accountable. If I back down then I risk humiliation. 

Another method I use is priming my subconscious by constantly repeating my stated goal to myself, by saying, “I can and will do this.” Some call it an affirmation. It has almost magical powers.

Also, for inspiration, I’ve remembered these two statements, made by Napoleon Hill:

"The power of thought is the only thing over which any human being has complete unquestionable means of control."

And:

"Greatness is the ability to recognize the power of your own mind. To embrace it and use it."

The key words above are “use it.” I truly believe anyone can do anything. We may all have different obstacles and handicaps. But so did a lot of successful people. Our own greatest obstacle is procrastination.

Whatever your dream is, you can accomplish it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But you must take action. 

You are not alone in your hesitancy to take this step. Everyone hesitates. Only a tiny fraction of people ever go for it. But there’s never been an easier time in history to start something. Even just a side business or worthy cause. Let’s make a bigger impact on the world. 

(Giant caveat: whatever you pursue, just make sure it’s something you can do well. Don’t expect success if you suck at it.)


-------
It’s very well known that daring to do great things makes us uncomfortable. Which is why the vast majority of people never do anything great in their careers or their personal lives. If we can’t embrace the nausea we feel when taking risks, we shouldn’t expect great things to happen.

One of my techniques for overcoming internal resistance to risk is to imagine myself as an old man on my death bed. In that moment, realizing that I always played it safe would be far more stomach churning than any single risk I could take now. 

To inspire you to take a giant leap, I’ve compiled 15 powerful quotes. Enjoy. And dare to do something great before it’s too late.


“Courage is really about choosing what’s right over what’s easy. Practicing your values, not just professing them. And choosing to be brave over being comfortable.”
-Brené Brown


“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
-Nelson Mandela


“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
-Muhammad Ali


“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”
-Winston Churchill


“What is the difference between a hero and a coward? . . . No difference . . . They both feel the same . . . the hero is more disciplined and he fights those feelings off and he does what he has to do.”
-Cus D’Amato


“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
-T.S. Eliot


“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
-Theodore Roosevelt


“I think any time people behave in a way that's truly them, then they'll never fail. You get in trouble when you try to copy others.”
-Gabrielle Reece


“You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor.”
-Aristotle


“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.”
-Michael Jordan


“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”
-Thomas Edison


“I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
-Rosa Parks


“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”
-Napoleon Hill


“Success is 99 percent failure.”
-Soichiro Honda


“You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down.”
-Mary Pickford



-------

It's bound to happen sooner or later. One day, out of the blue, the ECD at your company will quit or get fired. Suddenly all that time you spent proving yourself and establishing your reputation will be vaporized. All those privileges you enjoyed will disappear overnight.

The new ECD will naturally bring in his own people, as they always do. And those longtime employees (the “legacy” people) will become marginalized, no matter how talented they are. 

It’s interesting how different employees react in different ways. Some begin brown-nosing the new ECD right away. Some just walk around grumbling and complaining. Some get offended and submit complaints to HR. Some hide quietly in their cubes. And a few people simply quit. 

Everyone that stays must sit and watch the new hires come in and get the juicy projects and promotions. It’s an incredibly awkward and frustrating time, to say the least.

I'm pretty sure the same thing happened in Greek and Roman times. I can almost see the new general or senator coming to power, quickly bringing in his cronies while all the legacy people walk around in their togas, pissing and moaning. 

If you’ve been with a company for a long time, soldiering in the trenches and earning your keep, then suddenly this happens to you, what can you do? Well, you only have three options. Accept it, resist it or quit.

If you decide to accept it, you’ll likely be given the least interesting projects and you’ll probably become embittered. If you decide to resist it, you’ll have to work nights and weekends to prove yourself all over again to impress the new ECD. If you quit, you’ll have to search for a new job. So each of these options can be a strain.

Look at it this way: there will be times when you’re on the other side of the equation. You’ll get a call from a former boss who wants to hire you. So you’ll accept the offer and now you’re the crony. Personally, I’ve experienced both sides and it really gives you perspective. I’ve always tried to integrate into a new position as much as possible and make friends with the longtime employees. I hate being despised just because I’m new.

Occasionally, surprisingly, a new ECD will not bring in his own people. He’ll get to know the existing people and discover their individual strengths. Perhaps because he knows the problem is rarely with the employees, it’s with the leadership and vision. So changing the face of the entire creative department isn't always necessary. I'm always impressed by those ECD’s. The ones who make department speeches and learn people’s names.

Then again, sometimes an agency needs to clear some dead wood and bring in fresh blood. I’ve seen it transform the work for the better. 

The point is, it’s not worth crying over. Just deal with it, you’ll survive. Life’s a journey. Just chalk it up to experience.


A final word of caution to those who see themselves become marginalized: if you just take it, you’ll likely lose respect, whereas people who quit in protest (assuming they’re not in agreement with the new leadership) are likely to gain respect. Why? Because they refused to compromise and be relegated to second class citizens.

-------