Strategic Vision
Here's how I think about leadership: vision and craft aren't two jobs. The best creative leaders set the direction, then sit down and make the work alongside their team. I've done both my whole career, and I've never wanted to choose.
I've led from a lot of different chairs, from building a communications division from scratch in the public sector to running my own studio and now shaping brand and creative strategy for ServiceNow's accessibility and globalization team. The brand and the company have changed, but my throughline has been consistent: I strive to build for every ability, every language, every user.
My leadership style is the sum of all of it: an interdisciplinary education, years in the field, and the judgment to know that great campaign planning is equal parts which ideas to chase, which to cut, and when a bold swing beats a safe one.
Benefit of the Doubt
I firmly believe the foundation of trust and team building must rest on mutual respect, compassion, kindness, and empathy. Regardless of the needs of the bottom line, we are all human first. In my experience, many misunderstandings and hurt feelings can be avoided when we agree to give one another the benefit of the doubt. I learned from a forty-year management veteran to always start regular staff meetings with team-led kudos, and to celebrate the small stuff. Everyone can breathe a little easier when we feel we have each others' backs.
Empowerment & Ownership
Hire adults and empower them to be their best selves. Not everyone's best will look the same, but teammates who are empowered to grow, learn, get excited, take on new challenges, and impact systems are the happiest and most productive team members. Ownership over projects, successes, and mistakes is a gift.
Equity
I know that as a team leader, I shine brightest when I get the right folks at the table and then shut the hell up. My goal is always to ensure that the folks at the table are representative of a broad range of talents, perspectives, cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Then, I listen. True collaboration can only begin when everyone is heard and ideas can be shared openly and with courage.
Development
Others sometimes laugh, but I honestly think the best service I can give a company is to train myself out of a job. While enterprise-level permissions and security are complex and vital to the integrity of today's online marketplace, I don't believe in gatekeeping knowledge or know-how. The more folks on my team who understand what I do and can step into my shoes, the better. The more folks who are inspired to step up and take ownership, the better. The more folks who are invested learning and developing their talents, the better.
Yes, and...
I have had a thirty-year-long career in theatre and film. In that time, acting has taught me more about human behavior and psychology than any college course. One fundamental key to storytelling, brainstorming, and improvisation is the concept of "yes, and...". As an actor and comedienne, it is vital that I accept what someone gives me and I build on it, however ridiculous. This is how comedy is born.
And, the 'real world' can get in the way. Sometimes, the answer is "no": Maybe we don't have the technology. Maybe the money has run out. Maybe it's the right idea for the wrong time. No matter, if the answer has to be "no" for some reason, I will always ask my team to keep asking the question. Whenever possible, we will work toward "yes" together.