Creative Soulmates

First SCAB of the new (as Ian would say it) yah. 

As we hurtle through the start of a new term with D&AD on the horizon and many more briefs to come, I find myself thinking regularly of what makes a great creative team. 

I’ve concluded, after much thought, that a great creative partnership must work almost identically to a romantic relationship.  For this mind melting insight, I thank my fiance.  The one person on the planet who, so far, (hopefully theirs another, or creative team wise, I’m fudged) puts up with me always.  

You see in my fiance I have a person who explores with me, who laughs with me, who fights, argues and shouts with me.  A person who can put up with me. A person who can tell me when I need to concede.  A person who tells it like it is because she knows I can take it and if I cant, knows that i’ll go away and sulk for a bit before seeing reason.  A person who has amazing ideas.  A person who can see amazing ideas and nuture them.  A person who knows when they’re wrong and a person who knows to fight for something when they’re right.  A person who can lead.  A person who can follow.  A person who can cheerlead.  And, tell me to fudge off when it needs to be said.  A person who can push through to the other side.  Who can prioritise, organize and deliver.  A person who will work and work and work and work and work and work.  And then, work some more.  A person I want to spend time with, I want to share with, I want to succeed with.

Paulo Coelho said, “When you’re in love, you’re capable of learning everything and knowing things you had never dared even to think, because love is the key to the understanding of all the mysteries.”

Tell me that doesn’t sound like the very essence of a killer creative team.