Leading With Realness: How Creative Leadership Builds Better Content

Author:

Pierce Larick

January 26, 2025

Strategy

Let’s get one thing out of the way up front.
Yes, we’re in the business of making high-quality content. Yes, we take our work seriously. But that doesn’t mean we have to act like we’re performing open-heart surgery every time we step on set or hop into an edit.

At New Revolution Media, our whole approach is built on this idea:
Make incredible content, but make the process enjoyable.

We work hard. We plan ahead. We hit deadlines. We handle curveballs. But we also believe that creative work should be something people want to show up for, clients included.

So whether you’re running your own agency or you’re a brand looking to hire one, here’s something I’ve learned that might help:

The best projects don’t come from rigid, uncomfortable, overly formal relationships.
They come from trust. From communication. And honestly, from just treating each other like people.

The Leadership Side: Guiding a Creative Team Without Squeezing the Life Out of It

If you’re running a creative shop, you already know the balance is tricky. You’ve got clients on one side with goals, deadlines, and sometimes nerves. And you’ve got your team on the other side, the ones doing the work, managing the details, and pushing through the tough stuff to deliver great content.

Your job is to be the bridge between the two. And being a good bridge means being solid, flexible, and built to last.

Here’s how I try to lead at New Revolution Media:

Set the tone. If I show up stressed and cold, the team feels it. If I bring high energy and clarity, it spreads.
Protect the creative space. I do my best to give my crew room to work, experiment, and problem-solve without micromanaging.
Be in it with them. I’m not barking orders from the sidelines. I’m in the emails, on set, giving feedback, and holding the line when things get tough.
Keep things human. It’s okay to laugh. It’s okay to say when something sucks. It’s okay to talk about life while we light a scene or prep a shot list.

Creative work is pressure-filled by nature. You don’t need to add more pressure with ego, cold leadership, or unnecessary chaos. Trust your team. Guide them. Check in often. Then let them do what they’re great at.

The Client Side: Building Real Trust, Not Just Project Timelines

Now let’s talk about client relationships. One thing that’s helped us at New Revolution Media grow and retain our “golden clients” is this mindset:
Treat the relationship like it matters beyond the project.

That doesn’t mean oversharing your life story on the kickoff call. But it does mean showing up like a real person. It means getting to know the client’s vibe. Figuring out how they communicate. Giving space for collaboration, questions, and honest feedback without making it weird.

Some of the best projects we’ve done came from relationships where the client felt relaxed and respected. Where they knew they could tell us what they needed without tiptoeing. Where we could tell them when something wasn’t working without fear of blowing up the whole partnership.

Clients that I’ve been able to connect with on a personal level? They usually become our biggest clients. Not just in terms of spend, but in terms of loyalty, trust, and shared success.

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Here’s the Advice I’d Give to Any Creative Leader

Whether you’re leading a small team or managing big productions, this stuff goes a long way:

Be the translator. Learn how to speak both “client” and “creative.” Your job is to make sure both sides understand each other without burning out or shutting down.
Don’t fake it. People can tell when you’re just saying what they want to hear. Be honest. Be clear. Say “I don’t know” if you need to.
Normalize the ups and downs. Not every project will be smooth. But if your team and your clients feel like you’ve got it under control, they’ll ride it out with you.
Create space for real connection. That quick Slack check-in, the casual side conversation on set, the extra effort to ask how someone’s weekend was — it all adds up. People remember how you made them feel.

Why New Revolution Media Works This Way

We’ve built a team of realists. We know production is intense. Things go wrong. Timelines shift. Clients panic. Shoots run long. But we plan well, stay grounded, and keep things moving without losing our minds. That’s our edge.

We’re not here to waste time or play corporate theater. We’re here to make great content, hit goals, and enjoy the process with the people we’re doing it with.

That mindset is why our clients stick around. They know we’ve got their back, their deadlines, and their best interest in mind and they know they’ll enjoy working with us while we get the job done.

Final Thought: Do the Work, Enjoy the Ride

This field isn’t easy. Whether you’re directing a commercial, producing an event, animating a launch video, or building a social campaign from scratch, there’s a lot on the line. And yes, we take it seriously.

But that doesn’t mean it has to suck.

Respect the work, respect the people, and make space to actually enjoy the process. That’s the formula that’s worked for us, and honestly, it’s the reason we love doing what we do.