7 Power Moves for WORKPLACE Success: A Guide for Creative Professionals

I know firsthand just how demanding fast-paced, ever-changing environments are. As someone who’s worked in media and entertainment for two decades alongside hundreds of creative professionals, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with producers, directors, writers, editors, designers, entrepreneurs, and on-screen talent. You name it, and I’ve seen it all. It’s not just about having skills. It’s about having the right mindset to thrive in environments that change on a dime.

If you work in content creation or another creative field, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The pressure, the deadlines, the constant shifts in direction—it can be overwhelming. But over the years, I’ve seen that the people who really succeed in these fields excel because they’ve mastered certain traits.

I call these the “7 Power Moves for Success in the Workplace.” They’re the key skills and mindsets that help you navigate work, make you stand out, and really own your career. Here’s my list:

1. Be Adaptable

In creative industries, change is constant. Each project, client, or show presents its own set of challenges, often with little warning. Whether you’re working on a live event where speeches change on the fly or you’re in the middle of a fast-moving production schedule and fighting against daylight, being able to adapt is crucial.

Adaptability means more than just keeping up with change; it’s about being proactive in the face of uncertainty. Those who succeed are the ones who don’t just survive change but embrace it. They stay nimble, pivot quickly, and thrive in environments where the only constant is unpredictability.

We talked a lot about the need to stay nimble when I was the VP of Programming at ITV America. Budgets were decreasing, but creative demands were increasing. We had to do more with less. We carefully looked at each project to see how we could be light on our feet from a production standpoint and still provide the teams the resources they needed to deliver content that resonated both with our clients and our audience.

2. Have a Willingness to Learn

Creative industries are driven by innovation and trends. What worked last year may not work today. This is where a willingness to learn becomes invaluable.

Having a proactive approach to growth is key. Whether it’s learning a new skill, keeping up with industry trends, or developing areas of growth, people who are always open to expanding their knowledge stay relevant. If you’re not learning, you’re falling behind. The most successful creatives are lifelong students of their craft.

Each new project I was assigned was an opportunity to learn. In particular, the Honeybeez of ASU was my first project for Snapchat. My biggest Snapchat learning is that you only have three seconds to hook a viewer. If viewers aren’t interested in three seconds, they will swipe away. That holds true for so much content creation, writing, job interviews, and everyday conversations too. Make a strong, impactful entrance, and you will captivate your audience!

3. Anticipate Problems

Challenges are a given in any industry, but in creative professions, they often arrive fast and unexpectedly. Being able to anticipate problems before they arise, and then solve them swiftly, sets you apart.

Effective problem-solving is a skill that requires both a sharp mind and quick decision-making. It’s not just about addressing issues after they happen; it’s about developing the foresight to troubleshoot before they derail a project. Creative professionals who can think on their feet and come up with solutions in the heat of the moment are worth their weight in gold.

Working for over two decades as a showrunner gave me an expertise in problem-solving. Anything that you think can go wrong can, inevitably, go wrong, and it can have a domino effect on the rest of the day. For example, if you try to save money on transporting talent to the set, remember that if they aren’t there on time, the crew is left standing around with nothing to do. Morale starts to fade, and your content is compromised because you have less time to capture it. Anticipating delays and proactively setting people up for success—like ordering an Uber and tracking their location!—ensures you're prepared. Always anticipate what could happen and have plans B, C, D, and E in place to set yourself up for a smooth shoot day!

4. Lend A Hand

Creativity rarely happens in isolation. A willingness to help others fosters a culture of teamwork and support. Being that person who steps in when a colleague is stuck, offering a fresh perspective, or lending a hand when deadlines are looming can have a huge impact on a project's success. It's about understanding that individual achievements are most meaningful when they contribute to the success of the whole team.

I invite my clients to see how they can help a hiring manager when they’re interviewing for a job or having an introductory conversation. Who wouldn’t want to be offered some extra help?  This mindset can then extend into the workplace once you’ve landed the job. Even if it’s outside your job description, lending a helping hand is something everyone remembers—and it adds to your value. Embrace the power of asking, 'How can I help?' You often stand to gain as much, if not more, than you give by asking that question."

5. Project Confidence with Humility

Confidence is crucial in any profession, especially in creative industries where your work is often up for public scrutiny. You need to be confident in your abilities, creative choices, and ideas. However, confidence without humility turns into arrogance, and arrogance limits growth.

The sweet spot is having confidence with humility—being assured in your skills but always open to feedback, collaboration, and learning. Creative professionals who strike this balance are often the ones who can push boundaries while remaining approachable and open to new perspectives.

I have worked with thousands of professionals in my career. Confidence is a key point in selling your project, making high-level connections, and being hired. When it was my job to interview showrunners and other creative leaders, I always looked for confidence in how candidates presented themselves – but once they started talking about “I did this, I did that” for minutes on end without mentioning anything about a team, it often gave me pause if this was the right person for the job. Showing your contributions with “I” while also talking about the team is a perfect balance for getting people on board.

6. Fuel Creativity with Positivity

There’s no denying that the creative industries can be stressful. Tight deadlines, high expectations, unrealistic schedules, and intense workloads can weigh down even the most talented professionals. This is why an upbeat attitude is so vital.

Maintaining a positive, solution-oriented mindset not only helps you cope with the pressures but also uplifts those around you. Teams feed off each other’s energy, and positivity can be contagious. I would start each shoot day with a team meeting to set clear expectations, listen for challenges or concerns, and inspire the team to do their best work. It’s much easier to find creative solutions and stay motivated when the atmosphere is encouraging and supportive.

It’s not to say to have blind positivity and ignore problems that exist, but every problem offers opportunities on how to solve them so why not choose something positive?!

7. Lead with Curiosity

At the heart of every great creative professional is an innate sense of curiosity. It’s the desire to explore, to ask questions, and to discover new ways of doing things.

Curiosity is what drives innovation, creativity, and growth. It pushes you to explore the “what ifs” and challenge the status quo. Those who maintain a curious mindset are never satisfied with just “good enough”—they’re constantly seeking ways to improve, evolve, and create something new.

I learned more about curiosity through coaching. By asking a curious question, you take the spotlight off yourself and make it about the other person. Ask the question and wait for the response. Giving that silence allows the other person to explore their thoughts and for creativity to emerge.

Bringing It All Together

If you’re aiming to thrive in the creative industries, mastering these 7 Power Moves for Success in the Workplace will give you a strong foundation to flourish in whatever creative endeavor you pursue. They are not just desirable traits; they’re essential for long-term success in an ever-changing, high-pressure, and collaborative environment.

I’ve seen these traits make the difference between someone who merely survives in the workplace and someone who truly excels. It’s not just about being good at your job—it’s about building the mindset and habits that will allow you to grow and stand out in your career. The creative industries are competitive, but with these pillars guiding you, you’ll be well on your way to the career you love!

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level or need help honing these traits, feel free to reach out to schedule a consultation. Together, we can build a path to your creative success!