Agency Life Doesn’t Come with an Instruction Manual

With nearly two decades of experience working at global ad agencies, I discovered that technical skills will get you in the door—but soft skills keep you in the room (and help you lead it one day).

I’ve taught these principles to multiple teams across global ad agency networks, helping creatives navigate the chaos while maintaining sanity, relationships, and career growth. These guides distill those lessons into clear, actionable strategies you can start using immediately.

The Ad Agency Survival Guide

Welcome to The Ad Agency Survival Guide—your ultimate playbook for thriving in one of the most high-pressure, fast-paced industries on the planet. If you’ve ever felt like the agency world is a jungle of tight deadlines, sharp personalities, and shifting priorities, you’re not wrong.

The difference between burning out and breaking through often comes down to something no one teaches you in school: soft skills. If you’re ready to not just survive, but thrive in agency culture, let’s dive in.

How to Have Hard Conversations at Work

In marketing and advertising industries, ideas clash, feedback stings, and emotions can run high. Whether you’re a junior designer or a seasoned creative director, one truth remains: your ability to handle difficult conversations can make or break your career.

How to Have Hard Conversations at Work is a concise, practical guide designed to help you tackle those moments with confidence and clarity—without burning bridges. Inside, you’ll find proven strategies and insights drawn from years of experience managing tough conversations across all levels of creative teams. From navigating feedback with grace to standing firm on ideas without sounding defensive, these tips will help you turn friction into forward momentum.

If you’ve ever avoided a conversation out of fear, struggled to deliver feedback that lands, or worried about how to disagree without derailing relationships, this guide is for you.