Here's to the juniors

There's two juniors planners where I work, Dave (Dave Mortimer younger sibling of Famous Rob) and Martin. I'm not sure I like the term 'junior' planner, your either planner or not, some have done it for a little longer, that's all..but there you go.

Poor Dave get's quite a bit of grief from me. On his paleness, horrific diet, lesbian haircut and interesting taste in cardigans, but to be fair he gives it back in equal measure. He even stole someone's last biscuit and distributed the crumbs all over my chair, a la Gollum.

Martin escapes the bulk of this so called banter, purely down to the face he doesn't sit opposite me. That said, I think I've succeeded in giving him a complex about his newly beardless demeanor, and how it makes him look taller. Aaaaanywaaaayy........

Of course it's nice to have juniors around, they do some of the jobs you hate. Even better, they're great people to talk to about ideas and thorny little problems. If you want a sense check, talk to someone who hasn't learned to be set in their ways yet. They haven't got an axe to grind or developed their own 'schtick' yet.

I've also found I really like mentoring. I use the word cautiously, it suggests arrogantly knowing better and telling others how it is. That really isn't the case. Having to explain things in more detail than youwould otherwise forces you to question your own practices. Relinquishing control a little bit and letting others get on with gradually more and more forces you to organise yourself better. And best of all, they end up teaching you stuff, how not to get set in your ways, how to use Tumblr. They'ev read stuff you haven't come across, met and done things you haven't.

There's also a real joy in passing on the things you've learned. I don't mean planning craft and al that gubbins, more things you've learned from having been around a little longer. Sometimes small, commonsensical things, sometimes things a little bigger. There's that responsibility of judging when to tell, when to suggest and when you should let someone learn from their mistakes.

Best of all, there's the thrill of seeing them flourish, find their stride and 'become' (and the worry that soon you'll be obsolete).

But, above and beyond that, there's the satisfaction of showing them how to make tea properly and always getting a decent mug poured straight from the pot.

That said, Dave gets very shirty when it's a coffee round and he gets left out (he hates coffee).

Comments

[Rob Mortimer]

They don't call him David "Stew 365" Mortimer for nothing...

His tea making has improved though, good work!

Actually, I think he is very fortunate to have you to learn from. In banter terms though I have a feeling you will not win!

[John Delacruz]

Hi. I'm Dave's old tutor at uni and I'm pleased to see he has moved on from sweater vests to cardigans. Although you guys obviously make him work hard and hence has less time to maintain his blog, I would be honoured if you'd link my blog ... it may well be of interest as it provides up-to-date musings on developments on the Advertising and Brand Management degree at Staffs Uni. Here's the link:
http://advertisingatstaffs.blogspot.com/
Cheers. John D.

[Rob Mortimer]

Wow. I remember John Delacruz from the design/ad agency trip I nudged my way into in 2004!

I think he also taught my mate Steve!

[dissertation topic]

Blogs are good for every one where we get lots of information for any topics nice job keep it up !!!