After discovering stage fright before every class doesn’t lend it self to a teaching career, I found my way into advertising at Ogilvy & Mather. Somehow I talked my way into the role of assistant to the creative head of the agency.
I was completely out of my depth, overwhelmed by the amount of work, the pace and the expectations. There was no way I would survive. I was sure I would be fired once I was discovered to be an imposter. It was just a matter if time.
And then something amazing happened. I met CEO Charlotte Beers.
We were in an elevator. I knew she recognized me from my gatekeepers post outside my boss’s office, so I bravely introduced myself.
She smiled “How’s our boy doing? I know you’ll take good care of him and make sure he has what he needs to the get that work done. I’m counting on you.” And with that she got out.
In no more than 2 minutes Ms. Beers instilled a confidence in me that I never thought possible. She let me in on the secret. I could figure this out. I had to. The CEO was counting on me.
Since founding The Second Shift I have met Ms. Beers again. She remembers none of this, which I find this even more inspirational. I was not some special case that she stewarded thru the process, acting as my mentor. For her this was business as usual. When you are in a position of power you can affect change without knowing it.
You may even become a role model.