perspectives
Strong team leadership is grounded in who you are and what you believe. The work will get done one way or the other, but a person’s career is about more than just checking off tasks. I’ve developed my management style around principles of care, consideration, and honesty, which (I think) helps people bring their best selves to work each day.
Inclusivity.
I am an unapologetic advocate for inclusivity in the workplace and expect any employer of mine to welcome employees of all backgrounds and identities to the team. I also recognize and support the unique challenges and inequities many individuals face, whether because of their gender, race, or sexual identity, and dedicate myself to helping them grow and advance in their careers.
AI.
As a natural skeptic, I have resisted the hype (and dire warnings) around AI. The human mind is as good as it gets when it comes to creative work. However, I have kept an open mind and found some tools that my current team uses - and likes - that eliminate and streamline non-creative tasks. Like any tool, AI is only as useful, or dangerous, as the person using it.
feedback style.
My goal with all feedback is to be constructive and straightforward while remaining sensitive to the writer or team member’s point of view. With written work, my main consideration is the reader and her/his needs. Therefore, my main concern is whether the content is written and structured to deliver on the reader’s likely expectations. I try not to impose my own style or preferences on the writer’s voice and instead allow the writing team to stretch and play within the brand guidelines.
With professional and performance feedback, I maintain regular 1/1s and ongoing career discussions so team members always know where they stand. If I’ve done my job well, annual reviews should be largely a formality.
Work/Life Balance.
I protect my team’s mental health and quality of life. As a parent, I understand the challenges of balancing one’s work expectations with the realities of home life and the strain that our always-on society can put on our mental health. I strive to cultivate an open and trusting relationship with my team so that everyone feels comfortable advocating for their needs and supporting each other’s well-being.
Our careers are important, and we should care about the work we do. But work is not life, so you’d better not be online when you’re supposed to be on vacation. (Seriously.)
Expectations.
My job is to help the team deliver standout content and to ensure everyone has what they need to do their best work. I expect every person on my team, including me, to be reliable, transparent, and unafraid to speak up. If you have a question, ask it. Dealing with an at-risk deadline? Let’s solve it together. Something bothering you? Share it so I can help.
It’s ok to be imperfect. Sometimes projects go off the rails. Challenges are inevitable. I measure success by how we handle these situations and by our capacity to learn from them.
seriously unserious.
I can’t pretend to be something I’m not, and what I am is a sarcastic punk kid from New Jersey who’s now a 40-something-year-old dad with tattoos. I have tinnitus from too many loud shows in my youth and a slight anti-authoritarian streak. I’ve read a lot of Carl Sagan and think we all need to be reminded of our place in the universe from time to time.
All of this makes me a good leader, in my opinion. I’m never afraid to challenge the status quo or do something “just because.” I’m fiercely loyal to my team and co-workers because I think there’s more to life than work, but I understand how important work is to a happy life. I value creative integrity and think creatives offer value beyond just copy and design. And I believe in checking one’s ego at the door, getting one’s hands dirty, and a host of other (true) clichés.
Anyway, that’s me. You can’t say you weren’t warned!