We have five core values in our in our company and one of them is say what you're thinking.

So and that's another constraint in Blair Topia, the five constraints.

If I could wave the magic wand anytime you're in a dealing with a client or a prospective client,

just say what you're thinking.

Take a minute to think about how you would phrase it kindly, but say what you're thinking. So who is that?

So who is that

who is just speaking?

Well, before I answer, let me frame this conversation by first telling you a little story and giving it a little context.

Two years ago, I was in Hawaii and giving a talk.

It was in front of a whole gathering of

advertising folks for the Paley Award show and during my talk we got into this

conversation about what do you do when clients prescribe solutions to you? This is a place all too

familiar to a lot of people in the creative space. When somebody is dictating to you what

you should do and how you should do it.

And to which I responded, this is what I say to my clients.

You were probably right, but let's make sure.

And afterwards, my fellow panelists came up to me and said that was great piece of advice.

They don't teach this stuff in school.

It's not like you could read in a book, right Chris?

And I smiled, a little guilty smile and I said well actually I did

read it in a book so who are we talking to you probably figured it out already and if

you've been a fan of this channel, you already know.

...