Success in any industry (and in life) comes from being able to manage relationships and make connections with people who are different from you. And nowhere is that truer than in advertising and marketing \u2014 industries that tend to attract big and distinctive personalities.<\/p>\n
Even though they\u2019re dynamic industries filled with a diverse array of people, over time, you\u2019ll notice you run into the same personality types over and over. Below are a few of the most challenging types of people, as well as how to handle them.<\/p>\n
Not saying it\u2019s always the creative director, but there\u2019s often a higher-up who rules with an iron fist. \u201cHaving strong ideas\u201d doesn\u2019t begin to describe this person, who frequently says things like, \u201cI don\u2019t want to micromanage you,\u201d or \u201cI\u2019m eager to see what you come up with,\u201d and then is only pleased if you\u2019ve followed their orders to the letter. You often wonder why you\u2019re being paid to do the work when this person would prefer to do it themselves, or just hire a production artist to execute their vision.<\/p>\n
Where you\u2019ll find them:<\/strong> This exacting personality type often works at the executive level \u2014 and it\u2019s usually because they\u2019re good at what they do (and of course, they know it).<\/p>\n How to deal:<\/strong> If this person is your boss, then yes, you should do it their way. But in addition to providing the expected\/dictated solution, also try presenting what you think is the right approach. Back your ideas up with research and data (but don\u2019t get too disappointed if they get shot down anyway). You may never be able to win this personality type over, but learn as much as you can from the situation, as it undoubtedly won\u2019t be the last time you encounter someone like this.<\/p>\n You know the type I\u2019m talking about: the one who is always freaking out about everything \u2014 a meeting getting moved up by an hour, a figure on a spreadsheet being wrong, the client having notes on the creative. Then, in addition to whatever low-grade turmoil that exists, they create more by reacting disproportionately, then get angry when they think they\u2019re the only person taking the problem seriously.<\/p>\n Where you\u2019ll find them:<\/strong> As a creative, it\u2019s easy for me to point the finger and say, \u201cIt\u2019s always account people,\u201d but the reality is, they\u2019re not limited to any one department. One of their redeeming qualities is that Drama Kings and Queens usually have amazing organization skills, and they\u2019re generally prized by their managers for their follow-through and their ability to make stuff happen.<\/p>\n How to deal:<\/strong> Keep a respectful distance. Their anxiety is often contagious, and unless you can let it roll off your back, it will get under your skin. Be forthcoming and flexible, take them seriously, but refuse to get caught up in the chaos.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, there are some terrible, lying, underhanded people who work in this industry. True story: A friend of a friend was interning at an ad agency you\u2019ve probably heard of. She was an exceptionally bright woman in her early 20s, and she brought a unique perspective that impressed most of the creative team. The creative director, however, didn\u2019t much care for her. Long story short, he dismissed her, but not before swiping a few of her ideas and then presenting them as his own to a huge client.<\/p>\n In addition to stealing ideas, The Snake may try and throw you under the bus, or leave you hanging after they\u2019ve told you they\u2019d help.<\/p>\n Where you\u2019ll find them:<\/strong> Unfortunately, Snakes are everywhere. Besides being scary and unpredictable, they can have a demoralizing effect on their immediate colleagues.<\/p>\n How to deal:<\/strong> The best defense against The Snake is to create a paper trail and document your interactions with them. Counteract some of The Snake\u2019s power by making allies with people who can vouch for your skills and generally provide you with an alibi.<\/p>\n Every agency or firm has a few: they\u2019re those people who are the first to respond on a group email chain, or they\u2019re sharing links themselves. This person probably talks in full-on business babble, and their speech is peppered with phrases like action items, taking this offline, platform-agnostic, and other words that make you wonder if you are working in the same business. Cheerleaders like playing by the rules, which can be extremely frustrating for those who are interested in groundbreaking creative or strategy.<\/p>\n Where you\u2019ll find them:<\/strong> Many advertising and marketing professionals start out their careers in Cheerleader mode, so consequently, Cheerleaders tend to congregate in the junior and mid-level ranks.<\/p>\n How to deal:<\/strong> Cheerleaders are mostly harmless, and upper management and clients alike usually love them (which is why they make great allies). Stay on a Cheerleader\u2019s good side by occasionally thanking them for sharing an article, or telling them how much you appreciate their enthusiasm.<\/p>\n In a profession that\u2019s all about collaboration and camaraderie, the introvert stands out by going out of their way to avoid social interactions. They often appear disinterested (or pained) in meetings. They do great work, but they display no outward signs of wanting to be a team player.<\/p>\n Where you\u2019ll find them:<\/strong> Introverts usually thrive in positions that don\u2019t require a lot of one-on-one or direct client contact. They excel at work that requires focus, so you may find a lot of them in production, IT, and media. There\u2019s also a pervasive and legitimate stereotype that many creatives tend toward introversion (though those who want to move up the ranks will need to adopt a more extroverted and open demeanor).<\/p>\nThe Drama Queen\/King<\/h2>\n
The Snake<\/h2>\n
The Cheerleader<\/h2>\n
The Introvert<\/h2>\n