Ted Leonhardt is the founder and publisher of NAIL, a magazine dedicated to helping creatives thrive in the modern world. Starting in Seattle, Ted founded and built the brand design firm The Leonhardt Group which he sold in 1999. In 2000 he was recruited to the position of Chief Creative Officer/Global at Fitch Worldwide in London where he helped assemble 27 design offices including The Leonhardt Group under the Fitch banner.
This week’s Nail It Weekly story was written by a reader who responded to last week’s email on overcoming arrogance. Corry wrote:
“Thank you for showing how once we have a better understanding of our emotional demons, we might actually be able put them to work for us. For me, I’ve noticed that sometimes I freeze and literally forget my core expertise.
Even after you’ve worked with a client to define the project scope, there will be other challenges. Often, these include internal pressure to reduce costs.
Why a coach?
The simple fact of it is when we’re under stress, it’s very difficult, if not impossible, to be fully rational. When you’re stuck in the thick of it, a coach can help you see beyond the drama of the moment.
Robert is a design firm partner who reneged on a deal to elevate a junior partner. Surprising as it is, that scenario is common. Over the years consulting with design firms and running my own, I’ve seen problems that, like Robert’s, are all too human but could have easily been avoided.
Creatives don’t always get the credit they deserve for being able to work through high-stakes problems and deliver results. But empathy, which they usually have in large supply, can be a surprisingly potent tool if used the right way.
Maybe you’re pitching new business to a client or giving a presentation to your own team. If you’re smart and even reasonably creative, your brain will be working overtime on how the meeting is progressing and how people are reacting.
