How to Do Great Work Without Being an Asshole:

by Paul Woods

It's long been an accepted, almost celebrated, fact of the creative industries that long hours, chaotic workflows, and egotistical colleagues are just the price you pay to produce great work. In fact, this toxic culture is the enemy of creativity, and with greater accountability and transparency in the industry--and more choice for young talent--than ever before, this unsustainable way of doing business is a ticking time bomb.

This is a straight-talking, fun read for all Director or junior, at an agency or client-side, working in design, advertising, publishing, fashion, or film.

Packed with anecdotes, self-analysis flowcharts (are YOU the asshole?!), exercises and action plans for better working practices.

Simple strategies can easily be implemented to create a happier, more productive team and--importantly--BETTER WORK!.

Genres: Design, Self Help, Nonfiction, Art, Business

144 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2019

Reviews

[Quynh Than · Rating 5 out of 5]

6/5 sao, tất cả anh chị em bạn dì làm nghề sáng tạo đều phải đọc. Must-read. Không nói nhiều.

Vừa đọc vừa cười vừa khóc khi tất cả những điều mình thích nhất, lẫn điều mình ghét nhất khi làm tại design agency được phơi bày trần trụi khum hề che giấu hay nể nang ai. Ai cũng bảo ngành mình toxic, nhưng không mấy ai chịu nói ra sự toxic ấy.

Mong nhà nào mua bản quyền cuốn này sớm xuất bản ở VN đi ạ ngâm hơi bị lâu rồi ấy nhá.

[Pieter Bachir · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plainly obvious: even though I'm not in creative industries, I feel like you would most likely figure all of this out after a month of experience.

[Max Burtsev · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good starter for the newbies and young creative directors. Tips on how to run creative work without being too pushy. Hints on presentation, briefing, hiring and firing. In a nutshell - a short book with the basics every creative should keep in mind to propel in the field.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How to do Great Work without being an Asshole” True, it's a surprising title for a design book, but a very necessary (and fun) one worth reading. Whether a junior designer toiling through their first agency job hoping long hours will prove their worth, or an intermediate client services staffer trying to keep sane in the chaos and in-fighting, the writing is valuable for all. Even a seasoned professional should read it as a refresher to refine their own processes in leading creative effectively. This is the written form of an experienced mentor or neutral confidant who can give you the real straight talk without rose-colored glasses or worse yet, betrayal.

Paul Woods writes and draws (literally—he illustrated and lettered all the images too) from years of award-winning design experience as CCO of Edenspiekermann. (Yes, founded by THAT Erik Spiekermann, also a supersmart design guy who speaks his mind, can’t tolerate a**holes and thankfully doesn’t act like one, that I can personally attest.)

Woods’ book starts with defining what a**holes are in creative firms and how ego, culture, (lack of) communication and management structures can allow these people to thrive. There’s also very useful scenarios to bring caution to the wind for perceptive readers, while showing better ways and systems for dealing with feedback, creatives, clients, and business building. Essentially, teamwork needs to be a team that can work together and allow everyone to BE their best and BRING their best as a united collective. No egos there; it’s all about well-rounded support that makes everyone the star.

Innovative pricing strategies to cover for project scopes of finicky or difficult-to-define natures are also discussed in detail, making the “great work” part of the book title really deliver a sigh of relief for creatives and clients alike. The importance of good briefs, presentations, clients and time management are well-covered, as well as inevitable yet redeeming "leaving a job without burning bridges” scenarios. While a bit depressing at times—as certain people or sticky situations come to mind while reading—it’s also redeeming knowing how one can confidently shift gears to stay on track. (This is one of many lessons to take away within the final chapters.) Avoid future conflicts by adopting or adapting better strategies, and know that communication in itself is an art form that can’t be taken lightly or lazily, leading to mutual respect and admiration when done right.

While the book initially focuses on egos of creative leaders, it also applies to working partnerships as well as client relationships, where egos can get in the way of tangible progress. I can’t say enough how refreshing, informative and validating this book was to read, and seriously worth a read for all creative types.

[Sorrowka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stars: 3.5
(i read Indonesian translation, entitled "Jangan bekerja untuk Orang Menyebalkan")

First of all, I'd like to thank to the author for writing this great book. Even if I'm not from creative industry, i'm still judging it's good to take mental notes from this.

This book emphasizes how important the right work culture, briefing, and mostly... meeting (it sucks to have bunch of nonsense meetings, doesn't it). But to me, he repeats too much with the same statements. which is the more you can skim the book faster.
it gives relation such as his past stories working in creative industries. it might be rambling for some people, but for industry people it might relate them so well.

in the end, the book gives a guidance of resigning and firing someone. It's the heaviest to take, as creative industry have more subjective than other grounds. And that's make them more vulnerable. I have heard from podcast "a great company is the one humanize the humanity"-> when you fire someone, consider to offer a hand for them to search for other company (from your old work place). if you can't, give them an off-time.

Plus, the book gives illustrations (as an intermezzo and your mental drive)






my favorite is, "Design is not a result of democracy" (pg 191)

Every tiny and big project is hold by one idea, one owner. It's not like we reject them, but there's no such thing called Committee decision-making

TL;DR the book is somewhat good but in my personal life, it can be acquired through experiences of working with others (or if you're basically a structured person). Don't get me wrong, you still can read and enjoy the book by yourself

[Dan Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the vein of the 37 Signals books, Paul has written the best design management how-to book there is. Having worked with Paul for 2 years, I've experienced the mentorship, day-to-day management, and overall ideology he preaches throughout the book. He covers the gamut of director-level thinking and decision-making, as well as ways to collaborate in a team environment. Paul has done a fantastic job capturing the way he operates his company. It's unlike any other design agency, and maybe by writing this manifesto of sorts he will spark a (very) positive change in the industry we love.

[Rizal Asrul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pertama, saya mau bilang terima kasih kepada si penulis karena telah menulis buku ini. Meskipun buku ini banyak mengambil contoh kasus di dunia industri kreatif, tapi saya bisa nyambung karena topik dari buku ini cukup umum.

Buku ini menekankan bagaimana pentingnya budaya kerja yang benar, seperti briefing, presentasi proyek kreatif, dan tentunya... rapat (yup, banyak dari kita tidak suka rapat, termasuk saya).

Nilai plus-nya lagi, buku ini terdapat banyak ilustrasi yang membuat buku ini menyenangkan untuk dibaca.

[Linh Khưu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives me the overall picture of what it's like to work in an agency, from being a part of its member to being a boss. It does raise my awareness of the problems existing in the creative society, some of which I've never realized, and suggest ways to deal with them. This book really shows me how to lead a heathy life in my career of a designer.

If you are drained by the deadlines, maybe this book can help.

[Lexie Shaunak Danford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful for those in creative agency world! Lots of things in this book, I wish someone had told me when I was new to the industry. 5 years in now, I found myself nodding and laughing a lot. Solid, funny, useful.

[Jinn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love an illustration. it's fun to read

[UndeadArtist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good pics, simple

[Marilyn Brnd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book with lot’s of funny graphics but not enough in depth for my liking and very high level

[Thao Ngo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suprising design, fun to read, helpful advices.

[Maroš · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice and honest "how-to" book for agencies as well as for any designer.

[Meela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny but awesome

[Ha Nguyen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, came at the very right time when I was having to deal with a real asshole.