The Crazy One

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the unique challenges of leading creative teams and why people often quit bosses, not jobs. Learn what drives creatives to leave, how leaders can retain top talent, and what employees should look for in their leadership. Stephen also shares four essential questions to ask before deciding to switch jobs. Tune in for actionable insights on fostering a positive team environment, boosting retention, and making smart career moves.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates explores the art of leading a creative team by finding the ideal balance between giving your team creative freedom and maintaining your own influence as a leader. Discover the 10/80/10 rule—a powerful three-part framework that helps you calibrate your leadership style, allowing your team’s ideas to flourish while guiding them effectively. Tune in to learn how to empower your team, foster innovation, and strike the perfect leadership balance.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates debunks the myth that success is about luck, revealing the real factors that create opportunities and drive achievement. Dive into what people actually mean when they say “lucky,” explore how preparation plays a pivotal role in success, and uncover the habits that set “lucky” individuals apart. Tune in to learn practical steps for creating your own opportunities and achieving lasting success through intentional habits.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles the challenge of creative slumps—those frustrating times when ideas seem out of reach, and inspiration feels lost. Discover the different types of creative slumps, why they happen, and proven techniques to help you break free and get your creativity flowing again. Tune in for practical strategies to overcome blocks, reignite your passion, and get back on track with powerful ideas.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates uncovers common pitfalls teams face when designing apps and shares invaluable lessons from his extensive experience in creating successful iOS and Android applications. Drawing from projects that have been featured in Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, Stephen highlights key design principles and best practices that can elevate your app’s user experience. Tune in for actionable insights that will help you avoid missteps and craft apps that stand out in today’s competitive market.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates delves into the complex emotions that shape the creative process, focusing on the impact of insecurity and frustration on your success. Discover the various stages of creative insecurity, how social media can amplify these feelings, and learn effective techniques to regain control over your emotions. Tune in to equip yourself with the tools needed to navigate emotional challenges and enhance your creativity for more impactful work.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates explores the evolving landscape of creative collaboration as in-house teams experience significant growth, altering the dynamics between companies and their agencies. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of both in-house and agency creative teams, how their workflows differ, and the future direction of these vital partnerships. Tune in to gain insights into optimizing creative collaboration in a rapidly changing industry.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the essential art of mentorship—exploring how to find a mentor, become an effective one, and foster a successful mentor-mentee relationship. Discover key strategies for initiating meaningful conversations, understanding the different types of mentors, and setting clear expectations for both parties. Tune in to learn how to cultivate a mutually beneficial mentorship that inspires growth and drives success for everyone involved.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates delves into the crucial relationship between creatives and their clients, emphasizing the importance of trust in the creative process. Learn how to establish a strong foundation with your clients, cultivate trust, and effectively address challenging behaviors to foster a more productive partnership. Discover strategies for including clients in the creative process to prevent misunderstandings and practical tips for building rapport that leads to successful collaborations. Tune in to enhance your client relationships and elevate your creative work.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates addresses a common hurdle in the creative process: when executives propose ideas without fully grasping the underlying problems. Explore the frequent scenarios where this occurs and learn how to navigate these challenges effectively. Stephen shares practical strategies for fostering an environment where your team can think creatively and feel empowered to develop innovative solutions. Tune in to discover how to elevate your team’s potential and improve collaboration with leadership.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles listener questions on key career advancement topics. Discover the optimal timing for requesting a raise or promotion, learn effective negotiation strategies to maximize your compensation, and explore methods for fostering seamless collaboration among remote teams. Additionally, Stephen discusses how companies can better value and hire creative talent to enhance their organizations. Tune in for actionable insights that can elevate your career and improve team dynamics.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, the final installment of our three-part series on Design Thinking, Stephen Gates dives into the crucial phase of implementation. Discover how to transform insights and concepts into reality through effective prototyping, testing, and delivery. Stephen also shares actionable strategies for integrating Design Thinking into your team, ensuring a more innovative and collaborative approach to problem-solving. Tune in to elevate your design process and empower your team’s creative potential.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In the second episode of our three-part crash course on Design Thinking, Stephen Gates guides you through the exciting transition from insights to innovation. Learn how to effectively brainstorm ideas by crafting impactful “How might we” statements and discover the seven essential rules for conducting successful brainstorming sessions. Tune in to unleash your creativity and enhance your team’s problem-solving capabilities as you move forward in the Design Thinking process!Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In the first episode of our three-part series on Design Thinking, Stephen Gates shares key insights from his journey as an IDEO-certified Design Thinking trainer. Get ready for an engaging overview of the Design Thinking methodology, where you’ll learn about its essential components. This episode dives deep into the Inspiration phase, focusing on the critical processes of research and synthesis that lay the foundation for effective design. Join us to unlock the potential of Design Thinking and start your journey toward innovative problem-solving!Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates emphasizes the importance of recognizing change as a catalyst for disruptive ideas in our ever-evolving world. Discover invaluable lessons in non-traditional disruption drawn from various industries and learn how to combat cognitive biases that can blind you to emerging opportunities. Tune in to gain the insights and tools needed to stay ahead of the curve and harness change for innovative success.Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates addresses pressing listener questions about navigating salary negotiations and demonstrating the value of an in-house creative team. Learn effective strategies for determining the right salary to ask for based on industry standards and personal worth. Stephen also shares insights on how to effectively showcase the impact of your creative team to your organization, ensuring that your contributions are recognized and valued. Tune in for practical advice that empowers you to advocate for yourself and your team!Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates explores the paradox of today’s business landscape: while companies crave creativity more than ever, many internal creative teams lack the empowerment and support they need to thrive. Drawing from his extensive experience, Stephen shares actionable insights on how to effectively position, empower, and revitalize in-house teams to meet this growing demand for creativity. Tune in to discover strategies that can transform your creative department into a powerhouse of innovation and success!Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the art of public speaking, highlighting the key differences between presenting to your team and captivating an audience of strangers. Drawing from his wealth of experience, Stephen shares essential techniques for crafting engaging presentations and offers invaluable tips and tricks to enhance your public speaking skills. Whether you’re preparing for a large conference or a small gathering, tune in to learn how to effectively connect with your audience and deliver your message with confidence!Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates reflects on his journey through the highs and lows of his career, sharing invaluable lessons learned along the way. With the aim of helping you avoid common pitfalls, Stephen dives into six critical areas that can elevate your success and enhance your creativity. Tune in for insights that will empower you to navigate your career with confidence, overcome challenges, and unlock your full creative potential!Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook

In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates poses a thought-provoking question: “Do you know what you need to be happy?” Surprisingly, many struggle to find an answer. Join Stephen as he explores the vital connection between self-awareness, happiness, and creativity. Discover why happiness is essential for fostering creativity, how it can enhance your creative process, and the impact of decision fatigue on your overall well-being. Tune in to unlock the keys to a happier, more creative life!Send us a textSHOW NOTES AND MORE: https://thecrazy1.com/ WATCH MORE CONTENT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenGates WORK WITH CRZY: http://crzydesign.com/ FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook