Career in Beta

Here we go again.  Just when I was getting into a groove—life kicks in and lets me know that it has other plans.  Late last week it was announced that I was getting a significant promotion.  It's probably the most important in my career thus far, as I'm making a leap from leading teams to leading an entire department of over 40 people.  And you know how I feel about departments.

I'm not taking it lightly.  It's a serious vote of confidence and I had to think about it for a bit before pursuing.  I'll now be accountable for the collective creative product that gets produced out of the Chicago office of Critical Mass. Yikes!

These are the times in life where you ask yourself questions:

Can I do this?
Is it the right thing to do?
Am I ready?

But sometimes you have to go back and dig up the things you believe in.  You have to ask yourself—"am I willing to do what it takes to make this a reality"?  So I went through some materials and found this in a document I had helped write.

"At the end of the day, we’re focused on relevant, groundbreaking solutions that fuse style and substance—insight driven creative, supported by technology, which ultimately leads to measurable results. Not merely flashy creative or fleeting viral campaigns, but rather, applications that shift consumer behavior, brand experiences that deepen customer relationships and game-changing strategies that meaningfully impact the bottom line."

Yes.  I believe in this.  But the questions remain...

Can I do this?
Is it the right thing to do?
Am I ready?

I honestly don't know.  But how will you ever uncover the answers to any question if you never try to find them?

Comments

[Lewis Green]

"How will you ever uncover the answers to any question if you never try to find them?"

The answer: You won't. Go for it, David. It is hard to imagine anyone do a better job than you. You have heart, spirit and a desire to be the best you can be. And that matters.

[Sean Howard]

Congrats dude!!

"Life is worth keeping interesting" is sort of my motto (of the month). ;)

[Graham Hill]

David

Go for it. You are not alone. You know where to ask if you have questions.

Graham Hill
Independent CRM Consultant
Interim CRM Manager

[Suki Fuller]

Can you do this? Of course you can. You have been leading all us who read this blog, follow you on Twitter and are fans on Facebook.

Is it the right thing to do? You won't know unless you try!

Are you ready? Carpe Diem!!

Congrats!!

[Mark McGuinness]

Congrats!

And this is a great question: "am I willing to do what it takes to make this a reality"? One we should all ask ourselves at the start of a big challenge.

And who was it said it's better to regret something you have done than something you haven't?

[mindblob - Luc Debaisieux]

Wow! Congratulations David!
Fantastic news. : )

[Whitney Hess]

Gosh, I am so proud of you. I knew you before you were an "industry thought leader" and on everyone's blogroll -- and I mean everyone. (That was only two years ago!) ;)

I've been doing a bunch of blogreading lately and I can unequivocally say that every leader and follower in the blogosphere have their eyes fixed on you for insight and inspiration. I can only imagine that you provide the same authoritative (but gentle) guidance to your creative team.

People often see in us what we can't. If you're being given this opportunity, it's with good reason. The top brass at CM aren't interested in flushing their success down the toilet. They believe that you can bring them to a higher place, and believe it so intensely that they want to promote you within eight months of starting there. At eight months, most people are still feeling out the situation and just getting ready to make a significant contribution. It's obvious you've been doing it from day one.

Mazel tov on all of your success, and please please please start writing a book on the career path of a designer so that I (and my young cohorts) have some footsteps to follow.

[See-ming Lee]

Interesting self-deprecating blog post to announce promotion.

SML Motto: You can do it if you want to.

Happy big brother day... life! :)

Cheers,
See-ming

[Greg Verdino]

Congratulations! You deserve it and you'll be great. G

[Jamey]

David,
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on your own situation. I'm having the same experience and asking the same questions. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who "doesn't know".

Best of luck.

[Cam Beck]

David - Congrats! I understand your uneasiness, but I do believe you to be equipped to handle the challenge.

[Herb]

David,

Congrats. Next time I'm in Chicago, we'll have to raise a pint and celebrate.

[Thomas Clifford]

Congrat's, mate!

I remember when....

:-)

[Scott Judy]

They have the right man for the job.

Congrats, David...

[Steve Portigal]

Nice to read this at the beginning of the week. Appreciate the candor in your post, too. Enjoy!

[Chris Thilk]

I'd offer congratulations, which would be heartfelt, but I have this sneaking suspicion you pushed for the promotion just so you'd have another excuse to use "beta."

Seriously - good for you, DA. Onward and upward as always.

[Jinal Shah]

congratulations david!! looking forward to your new journey!

[Valeria Maltoni]

Congratulations, David. Well deserved! I think today businesses need a bit more spirit and heart infused into them than they need ROI and left-brained thinking. People do anyway. How about return on inspiration? You've gotten plenty of that to give :D

[david lee king]

What a cool move - sounds like a challenge, but a good one. My take - if your career's NOT in beta, then something's wrong (as in you're not growing).

Congrats!

[Chris Moritz]

Let me add another congratulations.

Promotions can be daunting - going through something similar myself, though not on the scale you're talking about!

[davidicus]

.

always remember that people dumber than you have managed to make a go of it ;)

.

[Daniel]

Whoa, congratulations! Dig in your heels, put your nose to the grindstone and -- I hate to quote "Project Runway," but my girlfriend makes me watch it -- make it work.

Don't even think about what-ifs. Just do.

[Tim Peter]

David, you'll do great. And if all else fails, fake it 'til you make it. ;-)

[Gavin Heaton]

Nice one, DA. Great to see your talent being recognised.

[Matt MacQueen]

you are so ready for this, one of the few independent thinking (and actively writing) on the trends in digital experience design from an agency perspective. any agency is lucky to have you, most of em still don't get it. ;)

[DA]

Wow. Thanks everyone. I'm always taken back by the support you all offer—even when you're challenging me. So you can see by my late response that the new gig has kicked in. Will take a bit ti adjust—but I'm up for it.

Thanks again for all the valuable feedback you provide here.

[Toad]

Congratulations David. Here's the thing I've figured out over the years: No one else knows what they're doing either. They're all just making it up as they go along too.
You think about things way more than most people-- you'll do just fine, and then some.
TT

[Adam Kayce]

Yep, congratulations, big D.

And re-read Toad's truism if the stress-monster ever creeps in... most people are more freaked out than you. :-)

[Doug Meacham]

David, Congratulations!!!! Sounds like a real win for both you and for your new "department". Here's your opportunity to apply all of your wonderful creativity, insight and ideas where it matters most - leading and mentoring over 40 people who are lucky enough to be on your team.

[Matt Dickman]

David -- Congratulations on the new role. I am 110% confident that you will excel, but selfishly I can't wait to go along for the ride.

[Charlie Anzman]

David - As long as you keep blogging, it's OK :)

[Asi]

Fantastic news David - cogats!

Your reflective questionings are valid and in place. I've recently read a nice article that argues that the success of great leaders is all about creating just enough anxiety — within themselves and their organizations — to unleash the energy that drives powerful leadership, accelerates growth and helps companies succeed.

Just enough anxiety enables the best leaders to embrace uncertainty and to turn challenges into opportunities. It prods them to make meaningful and necessary changes within themselves and their organizations....

Best of luck!

A.

[Chris Brogan...]

First, congratulations. It's always exciting (=scary, =challenging, =a scramble) to do new things.

Second, as I went through something similar in November and am *still* feeling like I'm catching up to where I need to be, give yourself the gift of patience and confidence under pressure. You're deserving, capable, and no one shows up and just "knows," unless they're Chuck Norris (pre Huckabee).

[Peter Kim]

Congratulations David. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with you in the future. It's fun watching your career progress, even if it makes me feel a bit...Darth Vader-ish.

[Juan Pablo Tapia]

Congratulations!! In spanish: Felicitaciones por tu nuevo trabajo!!!

[Andy Didyk]

Way to go sir! To be promoted so quickly is such an honor. Enjoy it.

I think asking those questions shows that you're ready for the job. Those who assume they know everything usually don't, and they also make terrible leaders.

[Tim Brunelle]

Great news, David! Clearly, your bosses are paying attention and recognizing talent. Someone once told me, "Make no mistake, running a creative department is like managing a circus." Having been there, I agree. I'll be curious to see how your posts evolve with the new responsibilities. - Tim

[Alex Funk]

David - congrats on the new desk! you've led by example for years so take that with you to your new role. - Alex

[Mack Collier]

Ho-hum, another day, another promotion for Rockstar 2.0. Seriously congrats man, you continue to impress and inspire!

[Alain Thys]

Hi David

Congrats !!! Time to tame the department beast :-)

[Scott Monty]

*I* know you can do it, David. You may not know it yet, but you need to begin by believing it.

A former boss of mine always used to tell me, "You need to tell yourself: 'I have arrived.'" For the longest time, I didn't know what he meant. It's only been recently that I've come to understand that simple yet profound statement. It's really all about confidence, attitude, and the ability to 'will' yourself some success.

I'm very happy for you and I wish you all the best in this next chapter of your life.

[Erik de Kok]

Hi David, go for it and keep up the good work. Do the job without thinking about it's name and history! Be yourself and give it the best you have! Make a change!
Kind regards from The Netherlands,
Erik

[DA]

Well, the honeymoon was short. I'm already feeling the change and working to adapt. But it's all good. Thanks again for the thoughtful comments everyone.

[Rob]

Congrats! Keep pushing the industry!
Rob

[Nathan Snell]

Hey David,

Congratulations on the promotion opportunity!

I am sure you will do beyond a stand-up job when you take it ;-)

[Misha Cornes]

Congrats DA. Life keeps rolling along. I am sure that you are more than up to the task. Make sure you leave time for punditry!

[Sean M]

David
congratulations on the promotion. You will do great!

[Courtney Kuehn]

The fact that you share your feelings on your promotion and the simplicity of those three questions is inspiring. As someone who's starting out in a new direction in her career and hoping to always expand her mind and life experience, I admire people who, despite their title/status/experience, can show they're just like everyone else. Sometimes not too sure about life, but willing to give it a go despite the possible challenges lying ahead.

Thanks for good thoughts once again.

[mario]

Hi David, I was fixing my neverending list of bookmarks when I found your site and stumbled with simpathy on your "Beta" philosophy: my small blog has been called BetaVersion on the very same idea of "evolutionary progression".
I'll keep reading your stuff.
And of course, congratulations 8)