Front Range Creatives Reflect On Lessons Learned In 2011

The Denver Egotist asked advertising pros in Colorado what they learned this year.

Naturally, they’ve uncovered some interesting results. I particularly like Evan Fry’s response.

Sure, I learned a shit-ton about clients, business realities, finance, revenue models, leadership, empowerment, allowing folks to succeed on their own (or fail, and thereby succeed), fearlessness, change, pushing, allowing, etc. But for me, within each of these larger areas was one common or constant. And that really and truly was acceptance. Accepting that folks might be smarter than me. Accepting that clients know what they’re doing, or don’t, and either way they hold the keys. Accepting that I have to step aside in some areas in order to help others learn. Accepting that I still have to do more than I thought I would. Accepting that things don’t look the way I originally envisioned. Accepting that maybe it’s better than I originally thought.

Then there’s this bit of wisdom from Blake Ebel: “When you operate like you have all the business, you’ll be surprised how often clients give you all the business.”

I also appreciate how my friend Matt Ingwalson learned “that it is vaguely unsettling to achieve your goals.”