Leadership, Agency Life and Real Talk
In this episode, Be catches up with Sarah Vick, a seasoned NED leader and advisor to creative and digital agencies, to dive into the realities of leadership, culture, hiring and innovation in today’s agency world. Sarah brings 25 years of agency experience, moving from project management to managing director roles, and now supporting agencies through board and chair positions.
Key Takeaways
This insightful chat is full of practical perspective from a leader who knows the agency world inside out, offering clarity and encouragement for leaders facing today’s complex and changing business landscape.
Early Leadership Realities: Sarah’s first leadership challenge was managing freelancers without formal training back in the late 90s – learning by doing was the norm before project management methodologies became standard.
Agency Culture Contrast: Starting in a warm, family-run digital agency and then moving to a strict advertising agency showed Sarah how leadership styles and company culture dramatically shape work life and growth.
Shared Industry Challenges: Across agencies, consistent issues include new business development, hiring and training the right people, and how to scale smartly after turbulent times like Covid. Clear business plans and a shared vision are crucial for growing confidently.
Transitions in Leadership: Sarah’s “Smackdown” focuses on the often-mismanaged promotions from practitioner to manager, then leader and finally director roles. Many people get promoted for technical skill but lack formal leadership training, leading to avoidable struggles.
Pastoral Care Importance: Mental health and pastoral care are now vital boardroom topics. Leaders must be equipped, not just to push business performance, but to support people at all levels. Sarah strongly recommends mental health first aid training for leadership teams.
Role of Non-Exec Directors: Sarah advocates a supportive, problem-solving approach rather than a “bang the table” style. Boards should help agencies navigate challenges by collaborating on plans and knowing when to seek specialised help.
Celebrating Wins: Sarah fondly recalls the exhilarating moment of winning a game-changing £10 million account, a reminder that leadership is not only about managing challenges but also celebrating big successes that define agencies.
