Strands of Genius: Fairness AND Firmness, Don't Give Up, Driving Research into Mental Wellbeing

Guest curated by Andy Wright, Founder of Never Not Creative, and CEO at Streamtime

May 16, 2024

:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, ANDY WRIGHT ::

LOCATION: Sydney, Australia

I found Genius Steals on a relentless quest for never being happy with what I know. And then here... a source just sharing new knowledge after new knowledge. I've worked in creative businesses for almost 25 years now. I've revelled in the weekend pitch and the pizza and beer fueled late night camaraderie. But I've also come to the realization that it can't always be this way, and that there might be a better way to live, work and play in balance. So that's what I try and do now – and these links might help to think how we can keep this industry we love to do more thriving and less struggling.

Editor’s Note (Genius Steals): We are so excited when we heard that Andy wanted to guest curate and even more so when we heard that his interest is focused on mental health. (If you know us at all, you know we feel strongly about how important this topic is today, and always). We love thinking about how we can reshape the way we live, work, and play. Wouldn’t it be amazing to transform our beloved industry from one that often struggles into one that thrives?! You can help Andy out by responding to this Mentally Healthy survey, to make this year’s research their largest study ever.

:: THE LINKS ::

FAIRNESS AND FIRMNESS? A DECISION MAKING FRAMEWORK THAT GETS EVERYONE ON BOARD

I came across this off the back of reading one of my favourite 'readable' business books, Brave New Work. Getting feedback on an idea or consensus on a decision can be the best thing in your day or a week-wrecking morale buster. You wouldn't use this framework for everything, but if there's a big decision to make or a world-changing idea to get up, this will get you there in a respectful and inclusive way. (Medium)

DON’T GIVE UP! A LITTLE MORE HUMILITY AND A LITTLE LESS EGO

Impostor syndrome is the ego-check that can destroy our confidence and creativity or provide the constant burn to always be better. A healthy dose of it is always good, and for many of us in our careers it most likely stays the higher up we get. So here's a great idea for getting comfortable with being uncomfortable and reversing the norms that social media would have us comply with. Personally, I've always wanted to launch like an upside down instagram for what really happens on holidays when travelling with 3 kids and your in-laws 😉 (It’s Nice That)

DRIVING RESEARCH INTO THE MENTAL WELLBEING

I've been driving research into the mental wellbeing of the creative, media and marketing industries for the last 6 years. In early studies we found that more than half of respondents experienced signs of anxiety and depression. This year’s research continues to monitor the trends of previous waves as well as explore further the causes of poor mental health in our workplaces. New questions focus on how our roles and work are designed and how flexible or hybrid working relates to positive or negative health outcomes. We also explore whether employers recognise their responsibilities when it comes to psychosocial hazard legislation and guidance. I'd like to make this year’s research our largest study ever. We’ve heard murmurings in our industry of business leaders getting ‘tired’ of the mental health conversation. Sometimes, so are we. But until we can positively identify that workplaces, employers and individuals are making work psychologically safe and that people are being supported accordingly, we’ll still be here, shining a light on the problem as well as the positive stories and examples of where leaders are getting it right. (Mentally Healthy / SurvayMonkey)

Looking for more from Andy? Coming Friday, look for an interview from him in your inbox!

:: AND NOW… SOME FAST FAVORITES ::

:: Game :: Chameleon

:: City :: Tromsø

:: Book :: Brave New Work

:: Podcast :: Reply All 😢 R.I.P

:: Song :: Mr Jones - Counting Crows, Live at Chelsea Studios version

:: WEIRD SHIT ::

Sorry, if that last pic was weird. I was once prepping a talk for a conference and I wanted a gif that said weird shit. I used this. Best response to a slide I've ever had. Much better than the actual content of the talk in hindsight!

Strands of Genius is currently read by more than 15,000 subscribers. Support us by sponsoring an issue, encouraging friends or colleagues to subscribe.

It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.

Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based out of Washington, our company is registered in Tennessee, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.

Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)

Strands of Genius