Creative Skirts

Cry Baby

From Been There:

Q: I'm young and new to the business and have found the creative department to be full of pressure, and passion. When these come to a head, I've seen men react in ridiculous ways. A grown man once wiped everything off his desk with one swoop of his forearm - PowerBook, One Show pencils, pictures of the family, all ended up in a tragic pile against the baseboard. I've seen younger hotheads put their fists through drywall.

My body, however, has a very different reaction to stress, anger, frustration, and passion. When I get angry, I can't stop the hot tears from rolling down my cheeks. Always silently (these aren't uncontrollable, sniffling sobs), but none-the-less tears that are looked upon by my coworkers as weak. I know this is most likely an immature problem, but have you ever faced it? Do you have any tricks for getting over it? Should I just start learning to put my fists through drywall?

Fret not. Having a strong reaction to what’s going on around you is not immature at all (and certainly not more immature than destroying a perfectly good Powerbook). It shows that you care passionately about what you do. If you never got upset, chances are you’re either a robot or someone who doesn’t give a crap about your job -- and it doesn’t sound like you’re either.

Your tears are your body’s physical response to stress. And, as you said yourself, you can’t control them. So we need to look at the things you can control – what made you stressed in the first place, and how you will deal with the tears when they well up again.

Once those hot tears start a-rollin’ (or your voice starts a-crackin’, or your hands start a-shakin’ – we all have our own unique stressin’ style) you need to address them. Pretending that those tears are not there, or trying to hold them in will make it worse. Instead, state the obvious to whoever you are talking to – that yes, you are upset, but it’s because it’s because you care about the work, and you’ll be fine in a minute. Just saying it out loud can actually help release the stress – and make it much easier to compose yourself. Plus, as a bonus, it will stop your co-workers from wondering what the heck is wrong with you (because what their fertile minds imagine is always far more dramatic than the truth).

All that being said, if this is happening to you frequently, you may want to cast a (non teary) eye at your present agency. What is fostering such a tense work environment? Can it be reduced, or is stress part of the furniture where you work? I know a guy who used to go and cry in the toilet just about every day due to an incredibly arrogant, soul-crushing boss -- but he put up with it because he thought that’s the way ALL creative directors were. Is this the case with you? If so, perhaps there’s a new shop in you future, where you can channel all that passion into a more positive place.

- Jane Murray

The latest on flex time

From today's Wall Street Journal...

To Retain Valued Women Employees, Companies  Pitch Flextime as Macho

"Here's a novel approach to keeping women in the work force: Focus on men.

Some employers are trying to overcome a perceived stigma on flexible work schedules -- often viewed as a concession to women -- by redefining the issue as a quality-of-life concern for everyone. The approach is gaining traction, especially in the male-dominated financial-services sector, where employers have long struggled to retain and promote women.

Among the techniques companies are testing: highlighting successful men who have tapped flexible work arrangements; encouraging more employees to work from home part of the time; and promoting alternative career paths."

Makes sense. The idea of flexible scheduling doesn't have to be all about being a "mommy." It should really just be about the way you want work to fit into your life and how you work best. Maybe someday we'll get to a point where America comes to its senses and your employer lets you--man or woman--decide.

When to Hold Out

From Been There:

Q: I’ve been interviewing for a junior art director position for a month or two, and recently met with a CD and Global CD at a less creative shop, who I think are very interested in hiring me.  I hesitate to take it.  It would be on a major cosmetics account – and I know it isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, but it seems like it would be a great opportunity for a person at my level to learn the necessities (photo shoots, shooting commercials, etc.). I would be doing a lot of comping and executing for the more senior art directors, so there wouldn’t be much concepting. Is it safe to assume that at any agency I’ll be doing the same thing?  Is passing up this opportunity foolish, or should I hold out for something to pop up after the New Year?

There are a few considerations.

Usually, if someone has a very good book I tell them to hold out as long as they can for the good job because it really does matter.  However, I understand (and have faced the reality myself) that financially, at some point, you simply need to take a job – any job.  You will have to answer for yourself:  1.  Do you have a REALLY good book?  2.  Can you hold out financially for a while until you have exhausted the good places?  And, once you have exhausted them, then yes, perhaps it's time to take a job.

I also feel, from reading your question, that you are actually pretty excited and kind of intrigued by this opportunity.  You seem quite optimistic about it - that would also be a reason to take it.  Maybe your gut is telling you what you want.

Word of warning:  Just because you are a woman - don't make the mistake of getting pigeonholed on 'female' accounts.  Unless you want to get stuck working on 'girl accounts' for the rest of your career.  The client probably is demanding a woman - we can't help client creative sexism, but don't let your agency foster that.  Demand other genderless or more 'male' accounts as well so you can exercise your creative range.

Words of Advice:  David Lubars once told me when I was very new in the business to reassess my career in six month increments.  If you take a job and you are not getting book-worthy work, (work that really can replace your spec) in six months (preferably less) then it is time to look for another job. That remains true for your entire career!  Don't waste time!  Don't let money justify lack of work!  And don't mistake produced work for good work!

If you’re producing, but it's crap, then it is not helping your career.

Good luck with your decision.

- Kara Goodrich

Girlie Ghetto

From Been There:

Q:  How do I avoid being "ghettoized"---so far (in my first job) I work on all products for women. It's not that I mind that but I'm starting to think my CD would never think of me for our beer account or our car account. I asked once and got blown off.

I love that question.  What you're referring to is a sort of "girlie ghetto," and it's a dirty little secret in many agencies.

Odds are, your creative director's reaction isn't in your imagination.  But if it's any consolation, that bias probably isn't anything personal.  It's probably more a function of the agency's needs than your abilities as a creative.

Below you'll find a few thoughts based on my experience as a copywriter and creative director, and conversations with women in creative departments around the country.

PERFUNCTORY CAVEAT: Advertising agencies differ wildly, and there are many exceptions.  The important thing is to find what's right for you

- Sally Hogshead

Things I heard in school

Some things I heard in school that always got the wheels turning--and some corresponding reading for you to contemplate.

1) You can't be taught to make great ads. You either have the talent or you don't.
     haha. That one was always my favorite, especially when pondered over my monthly loan statement.

What It Takes to Be Great

Research now shows that the lack of natural talent is irrelevant to great success. The secret? Painful and demanding practice and hard work

2) Men are better creatives.

How Females' Ambition is Shaped 
A psychological peek at how hearing things like "men are better at that" affect both genders. Suggests that if we just stopped mentioning the male/female ability issue, we'd be one step closer to a level playing field.