Praise Creatives

Praising creatives. Doesn’t seem like something you should have to do…. Aren’t these the people that have so much energy and ego that they don’t need some halfhearted thank you. I’m starting to find out that they are the most in need feedback.  I think whether its positive or negative they need something.

I tried something the other day in a meeting. It’s something I’ve done with my boss about the people I work with and I’ve done just for my own satisfaction.  I came in before a meeting and decided to make a top ten list of the great accomplishments that we had last week. Well because of my tardiness in starting this project I was only able to get out six. I know we had more but I wanted to be specific and I didn’t want it to look like everyone got a participation award.  When I was a program director I used to do something called a game ball. It was done pretty much in the same manner.  Anyway I went around the room and talked about the great things we did last week. I did take some shots at THE MAN which isn’t always the best thing to do but I was on a roll.  So how do you praise a creative?  I’ve got three ways for that.

Way #1  Try to be specific.  Don’t just give a hey you did great last week.  They would probably ask, “With what?”

Way #2  Be immediate.  You don’t have to wait until some special moment. If you think they did great on something that you are     looking at say it.

Way #3  Believe it.  Don’t just do it out of rote learning where you don’t really know why you are doing it.  Really believe the things you are saying.

Peace