Essays on creative leadership,
culture, and the human side of work.
Published weekly, with an original illustration. Two series: Becoming and Advisory Notes.
(Note: I’ve made changes in the following, to keep identities private.) “We are rescinding our offer.” Ariel was crushed. This was the biggest “fuck you” an applicant can get. It felt like a physical blow. Insulting to the core. Completely unnecessary. Mean. Unfeeling. And crushing. At first she couldn’t believe it. Thought she’d read the…
(Note: I’ve made changes in the following to keep identities private.) Three days later. “Ted, they offered 240. They stuck to the top of their range.” Ariel looked shocked, pale. Color gone. “I’m sorry, Arial. How did they present their offer?” Ariel, clearly shaken by the process, went on to say that a guy in…
(Note: I’ve made changes in the following to keep identities private.) “Ted, Dirk came to London to interview me. He’s their Chief Creative Officer, Global. We had coffee, and the next day he took me to lunch at his club, where we talked for two hours.” Ariel was beaming through our Zoom connection. I was…
I’ve been busier with client work than ever. Creative salaries are up, and more of my clients are negotiating new freelance opportunities and salaried positions than any time in memory. The following story is a composite of several of these ongoing negotiations. (Note: I’ve made changes in the following story, to keep identities private.) “They’re…