Mary Kay

For creative freedom vs. brand voice, how to handle this potential issue should already be detailed in the client's Brand Guidelines, if they have one. If not, it is something I raise when onboarding a new client and ask them how they want me to approach it, i.e. absolutely no deviations from the brand voice, or there is some discretionary leeway. If there's some creative leeway, we use the established communication protocol for the feedback loop. I would initiate the communication if my copy is expected to slightly deviate from the brand voice. I provide options/mockups and the benefits of a deviation. Ultimately though, it is the client's decision.

When managing multiple projects, it's important to stay clear on the objectives of each project. The easiest way to do this is to have a creative brief on hand for each project, as well as research notes. If the client doesn't provide a brief, I create one for myself based on our initial consultation and my standard questions. This makes it easy to switch between projects and reset your mind to each project.

Not everyone will agree on the changes. It's important to present a final draft with the consolidated feedback for everyone to review. Depending on the reviewers, I may remind them of the common objective(s) detailed at the start of the assignment. Reminding them of the objective(s) at the final draft stage can help to identify any remaining areas of concern.

Effective collaboration is enabled by effective communication. However before this can happen, there must be Clarity around the work the team is doing -- working in silos perpetuates the lack of collaboration. Achieve Clarity: 1. How each person's work connects to the team objectives, deliverables, and timelines; 2. Who is responsible for what. 3. A view of what each person is working on. 4. Short stand up meetings with the team to discuss issues. Clarity about the work at a team level and individual level as well as defining team members' roles and responsibilities is a key driver to enable collaboration. Work out loud as a team, so that everyone's voice is valued and heard, and then team members will be more likely to collaborate.

The most important aspect of career clarity is self-awareness. Know thyself, grow thyself! Knowing and frequently reviewing your values is necessary. Your values will change their priority ranking over time. For example, in your 20s, you might value financial status, while in your 30s, you may value more time with family. Even more important is to learn to distinguish your own values from those of others. While others may want you to jump on a certain career path, following someone else's expectations, may lead you into internal misalignment and regret. I encourage my coaching clients to gain self-awareness first, before seeking clarity on their career path. Get Curious. Get Clear.™️

When analyzing feedback about your copy, the easiest way to grow from it is to categorize the feedback. This will help you to recognize the same category of error in your next piece(s). If you can group them into categories, you can also add these categories to your own checklist. This way, you can review your copy for these things before you submit your first draft for review. Note, you can always ask your editor (if you have one) for their Review Checklist, too! You will naturally learn from feedback as you write more however, if you're repeating the errors, find online courses that will help you address the foundational aspects behind those errors. And remember, as in the book The Four Agreements, don't take it personally!