How to Get Away with Everything
This started as a joke in a catch-up with a former colleague. She said I always got away with everything; and it made me laugh. I don’t see myself like that at all.
But the thought stuck. And the more I reflected, the more I realized: in the moments when things did work out: when I took a risk, held my ground, or shifted a conversation; it wasn’t about being clever. It was just a mix of showing up, paying attention, learning from the people around me, and trying to add value wherever I could.
The truth is, I didn’t get away with most things. But I did get away with being surrounded by good people. I asked questions. I listened. I adjusted. I kept trying.
There’s no blueprint. But here are a few things that helped me navigate the mess, the pressure, and the fun of building a career I care about.
Roll Up Your Sleeves
No shortcut beats doing the actual work. When you’re involved, you earn the right to speak up, push ideas, and lead. When you disappear, so does your credibility.
Know the Business Priorities
Marketing is not about being liked. It’s about adding value. Understand the numbers, the business cycles, the pressure points. When your work ladders up to the actual business goals, your seat at the table becomes non-negotiable.
Stay Rooted in the Business, Not the Politics
Play the long game. People come and go. Priorities shift. What stays is the business and the value you bring to it. When you make decisions based on what’s best for the brand and the business (not office politics) you earn long-term trust.
Know Your Numbers
You can’t fight for creativity if you don’t know the financials. Learn the P&L. Understand performance. Translate ideas into impact. The moment you can explain how a brand move affects revenue, you become dangerous in the best possible way.
Build the Right Network
Surround yourself with people who believe in what you’re building. That includes partners, collaborators, mentors, and even clients. A strong network that shares your vision will unlock more than a fancy campaign ever could.
Help Others Win
Be useful to the people around you. Support their objectives. Offer solutions. Make space for their success. When you do that consistently, they’ll make space for yours too.
Lead with Empathy
Everyone’s dealing with something. Inside and outside work. Try to understand where people are coming from; their goals, fears, pressures. Empathy doesn’t mean agreeing with everything. It means listening, adapting, and finding common ground.
Seek to Understand First
Don’t rush to be understood. Take the time to understand what others care about. What they need to hear. What they need to achieve. When you show that you get it, people start listening to what you have to say.
Represent the Brand — Not Just Yourself
You’re not here to promote your ego. You’re here to honor the brand. Use brand values and guidelines as your compass. They’re not restrictions. They’re your strategy. Use them as the filter to guide decisions and keep consistency.
Don’t Get Personal
Take feedback seriously, but not personally. This is business. It’s not about you. It’s about delivering results. Drop the ego, take the note, and come back sharper.
Deliver Value to Every Stakeholder
Every project has layers; owners, operators, guests, teams. Don’t cater to just one. Design your strategy to deliver value to all of them. That’s when the work really flies.
Get Comfortable With Ambiguity
If you’re waiting for full clarity, you’ll never move. Learn to navigate the gray areas. That’s where opportunity lives. Be the person who can find a path even when one isn’t clear yet.
Kill Your Ego
Nothing good comes from arrogance. Confidence is key, but ego is noise. Let go of being the smartest in the room. Be the one that gets things done, lifts the team, and creates impact.
Master Your Craft
Know your tools. Know your trends. Know your platforms. Marketing moves fast; so stay sharp. When you know what you’re doing, no one can talk over you.
Build Real Relationships
Invest in people. Learn about them. Ask about their life. Be human. The strongest strategy in the world won’t land if no one wants to work with you.
Be a Person. Seriously. Or Not.
Work hard, yes. Deliver results, absolutely. But don’t forget to have fun. Be human. Crack a joke. Laugh with your team. Bring energy into the room instead of just pressure.
The truth is, when people feel safe and enjoy working with you, things flow. Ideas get better. Feedback is easier. Tension goes down, and trust goes up.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. The work matters, but you’re not saving lives. You’re connecting people. You’re making them feel something. That’s powerful, and it can come with lightness.
When the pressure’s high, the best way to make it through is to release some of it. That’s when the real magic happens.
