Creatives lose almost every time when it comes to navigating corporate politics – which is actually central to our value proposition. In my 40+ years working with the people I love, i.e. designers, copywriters, art directors, editors, video editors, project managers, etc. I have yet to meet one (well maybe a few) who was willing or even able to play the corporate politics game. I mean it – almost none!
As creatives, our passion, solutions-based mindset, integrity, objectivity, and the sometimes problematic habit of wearing our hearts on our sleeves make us lousy politicians but great collaborators and advisors who can’t help but speak truth to power. Too bad that our peers in other departments and upper management often either don’t acknowledge and leverage our value-add (ugh, did I just say that?) or worse, actively discourage and punish it.
Keep being you and better yet, look for ways to bring your best selves to bear on organizational challenges both within and outside of your team.
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