7 | Wisdom was dropped on my ass today, and it felt good.

Wong = WOW

One again, UO's Creative Strategist class was blessed with the presence of an advertising walking talking inspiration. This time the speaker was Tracy Wong of Wong Doody Cradall Wiener, and boy did he put a grin on my face. Much was promised, but Tracy still managed to overdeliver.

So much of what he had to say resonates with my own feelings and thoughts. He just puts them into words way better than I. I'd like to share a few of the main concepts he brought that really speak to me and help add focus to my own ideas.

Let your ego go
It's the biggest barrier to creativity and opportunity. You are not your ideas, whether you are a creative, account person, planner, strategist, whatever. So don't take it personally when your ideas get shot down. The true test of creative success is not "can you come up with the best idea in the first try?" It's "how much resilience do you have in round eleven?" Tracy recommends that the best creative process takes place in the democracy of good ideas: everyone has a say in the work.

WE > ME

"There is no 'I' in team. But there is an 'I' in prick." Well your ego is that prick in the back of your head that looks down on other work because it's not your work. Your ego is that prick in the back of your head that says it's better than the small unknown account; that you deserve the Pepsi superbowl spot. Get over it. The original stuff comes where something has never been done before. The original stuff comes from taking the less glamorous scenario and by being bold and courageous in the face of an unremarkable brief. Remove your ego from the picture, and focus on making the best work you can.

Something as powerful and effective as this would've never come to be if Wong Doody hadn't checked it's ego at the door.

LISTEN! FOR FUCK'S SAKE, LISTEN!!!
Tracy Wong puts it so well: the greatest creative weapon you have is your ears. We go into too many situations claiming we have an "open mind." The problem is, open or not, our minds are already full of our own ideas (as Tracy puts it: shit), and they diminish/taint the value of what we hear from others. Go into a conversation instead with an "empty mind," ready to appreciate what others have to say. Don't respond for the sake of response. People want to feel heard, so give that to them.

"Knowledge talks. Wisdom listens."

The other fantastic takeaway is to "love your client like you love your dog." I want any future clients to know that I want them to be successful; I have their best interest in mind and at heart. How to do this? Listen! "Listening creates trust which kills fear." This skill will allow its user to turn a rejection into an opportunity. It will include the client as part of the team, not the problem to solve. It will show the client that you care about them, which is an enormous asset to have when your idea is bold and potentially scary. Empty your mind and listen to what anyone and everyone has to say. Seek why they think the way they do. Search for what they value. Put aside your ego, and absorb what it is they want to say. You never know when the favor might be returned.


Remove your ego from the situation and shut up/clear your brain when someone else is talking. These are two incredibly powerful notions to employ in my work and in my career, and they're a bit stronger now thanks to Tracy Wong. Endless thanks goes out to him from myself and others.