If you could attribute one other person or life event to your success, who or what would it be and why?
Dorky as it sounds, my dad. He passed on an insane work ethic. And he let me goof around and search for the right career without looking at his watch when my university career hit the 4–year mark. At the time, I was mildly appreciative. Today, I’m immensely grateful.
What is the number one quality you look for in talent?
I look for resilience. The ability to hear criticism of their work, understand it, not take it personally, and turn it into even better work is an increasingly rare and valuable quality.
What is something the industry isn’t paying attention to that they should?
It’s probably time for us to rediscover our swagger. To start acting with more confidence and less fear. To recognize that while collaboration is often key, sometimes the best thing you can bring to a situation is stubbornness. Not always. But definitely sometimes.
What is the very best career advice you’ve ever received?
When I was looking for my first job, a copywriter told me, “Often in this business, it’s persistence above brilliance” and I continue to honor her advice. The fact is, the better the idea, the harder it will have to fight its way through an armada of no’s.
What part of your role as a leader do you find most rewarding?
Individually, I love watching someone develop the ability to create or champion ideas they wouldn’t have even recognized before. Organizationally, I love creating an environment where bravery is the norm and failure is welcome.
What are you most proud of in the last 12 months? What milestones do you most look forward to over the next 12 months?
This month, I launched The Wrong Agency in Malmö, Sweden. A year from now, if we still don’t have any clients, I will be awash in satisfaction that we were able to remain on–brand. I’ll be financially ruined, but emotionally elated.
