One of the things that really shook me working in the US was how hierarchal it was.
Of course I appreciate not all companies are like this, but in my experience, there were a huge amount who were.
Where the person with the highest title won.
Regardless how right – or wrong – they were.
And what this led to was a bunch of talented people opting for the easier life.
Where they did what the most important person in the room wanted, because ultimately it meant they would have less stress and could go home on time.
Or realised their career growth was about managing up rather than being great.
I don’t blame them – especially those who had families to feed – I just found it sad and alien.
Sad … because I saw incredibly talented people being restrained and restricted.
Alien … because I had been brought up to see management as enabling people to make the best work of their life.
Directing rather than dictating.
Creating the time, space and energy to let your team craft the work not focus on the politics.
But in America, this didn’t seem to be the case … it felt it was much more about following orders rather than solving the challenge in the most interesting and exciting of ways.
I kind-of wrote about this before, but the reason I’m saying it now is because I recently read a book that reminded me of some of the things I saw and – to a degree – experienced.
A book that reinforced why I will always love Wieden – and now R/GA – because they were founded by individuals who value creativity rather than devaluing age.
The book I’m talking about is called “Disrupted: Ludicrous Misadventures in the Tech Start-up Bubble” and was written by ex-Newsweek journalist Dan Lyons.
It’s a humorous tale of his experience working for the tech/marketing company Hubspot and – without giving anything away – it’s a total shitshow.
There’s a bunch of reasons for it … but as I read the book, I couldn’t help feel that many of them were because of this hierarchal practice that I saw in America.
It’s definitely a book worth reading because apart from just being enjoyable, it is super informative in how Silicon Valley works.
Even more specifically, how the finance of Silicon Valley works.
But if that doesn’t tempt you, then maybe this will.
You see Dan Lyons – the author – was a hardcore, tech journalist and yet when he joined Hubspot, he found himself in the marketing department. After experiencing the industry first hand, this is what he had to say about the conferences we love to go to and talk at …
“Marketing conferences are filled with wannabe gurus and ‘thought leaders’ who work themselves up into a revival-show lather about connecting with customers and engaging in holistic, heart-based marketing … which sounds like something I made up but is actually a real thing that really exists and is taken seriously by actual adult human beings, which makes me want to cry.”
Harsh?
Maybe.
True?
Definitely.