Getting the best out of your creative team isn’t necessarily hard, but it isn’t easy either. You’re going to want a team that works together, pushes each other, and above all, produces work that sets your school apart. There are a few tips, tricks, and great ideas that we’ll share to help you and your creative team achieve your vision.

1. MANAGING & MOTIVATING
A CREATIVE TEAM
Matthew Barnes | RuffaloCODY

2. Is it difficult to manage “a creative”?
Absolutely not!
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BUT
They can be a little squirrely

3. Great management is motivating
But let’s talk about that word:
“Management”
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4. Don’t be in a management mindset
Think of yourself as a partner and mentor who
sets boundaries and deadlines.
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Oftentimes, more importantly, you play the role
of encourager.

5. Guiding, encouraging, nurturing, editing
for, sometimes pleading with BUT NOT
managing a creative team
Matthew Barnes | RuffaloCODY

6. Starting off
HIRING IS IMPORTANT
• Ability to communicate
• Critical thinking ability
• Passion for originality
• Know what skills you need
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7. Create a team atmosphere
• People feed off others’ ideas
• Often it’s not about the
money, it’s about the culture
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8. Then make a connection
• No one is the same
• Connect on an individual basis
• Know everyone’s strengths
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9. Provide parameters and direction
• Never tell someone HOW to do something
• Set a deadline and clear objectives and then
get out of the way
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10. You can help get the juices flowing
• Create an environment that stimulates
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11. Give them freedom, or … get really
frustrated
• We can be protective and combative
• Freedom doesn’t mean a lack of work, in
fact…
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12. Creative people like to make stuff
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• Working on multiple projects
creates a healthy confusion
The brain works on projects over time
and different stimulants may trigger
different ideas

13. Provide constructive feedback
• We want to know how we’re doing
• If you can’t provide feedback, connect them
with somebody who shares their skill set
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14. Follow through all the way to the end
• We’re not afraid of numbers, in fact we like
results
• Providing tangible response rates (or whatever
the measure of success is) is motivating and
allows your creatives to re-prioritize goals
based on results
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15. Thank you!
For more information contact:
Matthew Barnes | matthew.barnes@ruffalocody.com | 319-730-2505
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