Here’s To The Rabble-Rousers
I failed last week.
I got into a big argument over a project I’m doing on the side. That’s not the big failure though.
The big failure is that it took this long to have the fight. I’d acquiesced and tried to find parity and compromise. I had grown too tired too quickly of defending my ideas which, after so much work, have proven prescient.
My strategy was sound, but I hesitated.
It doesn’t matter that the ideas were correct. Because I didn’t fight for those ideas, they’re long gone.
So, here’s how I hope to ensure this never happens again. I’m making a public pledge today – to you and to other marketers who may fall into the same trap.
I pledge to offend the status quo for the good of my clients.
I promise to be a change agent, even though I may be blamed for the painful symptoms during that change.
I will ruffle feathers. I will not shut up.
If it’s good for my client, I will spit on the path of least resistance.
I will be a rabble-rouser.
The client may not accept my ideas, but those ideas are what they’re paying for. To give anything less would be tantamount to stealing their money.
Have you ever felt like this? What did you do to get yourself back on the right path?
Could you make this same pledge? Is there anything you would add? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments box below.
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Tags: Business, Leadership, Marketing, Online marketing
About time. Welcome to the Dark Side. Knew you had it in you
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Be forewarned…this will create many a headache.
Love.it. A bit of a rabble rouser myself, so I pledge the same
But I did recently have a moment of wondering if I had gone soft now that people were paying me for my advice – and quickly realized that they are paying me for my HONEST advice, not to tell them what they want to hear. Either that, or it’s ok to let some fail in small ways so they learn for themselves how to get it right the next time.
Stuart – Heh, those will be welcome headaches. I have confidence it’ll be a good thing in the long-term.
Maddie – You I’d already pegged as a rabble-rouser!
I struggle with the type of thing you’ve mentioned as well, where I wonder whether to correct them or let them trip up a little. In the end though, the big thing I need to work on is not saying “I told you so.” It poisons a relationship, but sometimes I just feel the need!
My policy is to fight hard enough that you could honestly tell an art director, “I fought hard but…” After that, you risk offending your client.
Often. Many times. If you’ve been in marketing for a while, this happens a lot. There are people who do what they are comfortable with because it’s easier.
It’s harder to be what you’re advocating because change isn’t as well documented. It might not work! And in some instances, in a down economy, something “not working” is cause for bad things to happen.
That said, I’ve done it. Because sometimes, it’s important to pick the battles in order to win the war.
The age old problem in agencies and clients. They get a vision and there is not changing their mind despite knowing it will be a flop. The client pays the bills but is paying for us to tell them the truth – no matter how much it will sting.
I applaud you and welcome you to the darkside that so many of us live on.
Power to the people! I have marched with you, sir, in the streets of our nation’s capital. I have borne witness to your inner rabble-rouser on more than one occassion…and I like it! Keep fighting the good fight! Hit me up if you need to rally
. Words of wisdom while rabble-rousing (aka cliches): a) business is business, but b) do unto others…everything else is c) fair game and d) it’s not what you say, but how you say it. Nobody likes a “yes-man” anyhow.