The first rule of effective mentoring.

“Welcome to Fort Awesome,” I said. A big smile came across the young art director’s face. I was so happy for him and the fact that he had come up with such an inventive solution to the digital banner campaign that he had been assigned.

The ability to have genuine excitement about someone else’s work. That’s the first requirement of being a good mentor to young creative people. That same excitement is what propels you to sell the work as if it’s your own.

The ability to be enthusiastic about other’s work is a learned skill. It takes confidence and self-security. I know people who have had decades-long careers but still experience a tinge of jealousy when another team member comes up with a unique and special idea. Or, others who feel the need to leave their thumbprint on every piece of work that passes in front of them. The type of creative directors that make good mentors realize helping others be successful is what makes them valuable to the agency. And I’ve realized, it’s also a lot of fun.