I once coached an ad agency editor overwhelmed by worries about the business's financial health—new client wins, art department designs, impending layoffs. Once she recognized these were beyond her control and only fueled her stress, she shifted focus to what she could improve in her role, team, and life.
Related: How I Learned to Let Go
Like many clients, she created two lists: what she could control and what she couldn't. She was surprised by how much fell into the first category. Leading a team of eight talented writers, she provided essential guidance and directed creative brainstorming sessions for client campaigns. Though not a senior executive, every word in client ads passed through her hands.
By accepting she had no direct control over the art department's output, she still influenced it indirectly.
We set a clear goal: elevate the copy she personally wrote. This focus sharpened her efforts productively. As her writing improved, her team stepped up to match her standard, lifting performance across departments and sparking creativity agency-wide. Ironically, releasing worry over designs enhanced them through her elevated leadership. Her newfound confidence propelled the company's success.
Commit to honing your own performance and watch the ripple effect unfold.
Related: 4 Bold Ways to Be a Confident Leader
This article originally appeared in the December 2017 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
