We are always grateful when advice and experiences are shared with us. Today we thank Elisa Silva, the Managing Director and Partner at 3Headed Monster, for hers:
If you could attribute one other person or life event to your success, who or what would it be and why?
For nearly forty years, it was my dad. For the last few years since his passing, it is even more so my dad. He was fair and kind and a little silly. He believed in shared accountability and how essential it is for everyone on a team to do their part. He was helpful and just patient enough, but he also knew when to call it. His community loved him. His employees loved him. His family loved him. If I can be even half the boss and neighbor and partner he was, I’ll be doing alright.
What is the number one quality you look for in talent?
Makers! It’s a given in creative disciplines, but having makers in other departments is also hugely beneficial – pie makers, home decorators, plant potters, secret writers, musicians… It creates a nice shorthand when everyone at the table knows the pain of starting with nothing, working hard, getting dirty, and having something new at the end of that.
What is something the industry isn’t paying attention to that they should?
Mental health. Our business is an around-the-clock, gotta-win-awards, gotta-climb-the-ladder culture. And I love it! But it can take a toll, and talking about that is sometimes considered a lack of strength, loyalty, or determination. When really, everyone needs time to take care of their minds. The work wins when we do.
What is the very best career advice you’ve ever received?
Remember who you are and why you’re here.
What’s one thing from our current situation that you hope is part of the post-COVID world?
Out of absolute necessity, we’ve invited our teammates into our homes every single day. My team saw my kitchen everyday – where I made my morning coffee, where Amazon packages piled up and naturally led folks to ask what I’d ordered this time, where plants and cats took over my countertops… I think there’s something really special about being with each other at home everyday; we’re a little gentler with each other. Everything is a little more personal. We all show a little more courtesy. I’d be delighted to hang onto that.
