There’s a fine line between familiarity and disrespect

I have worked for Phil Jones in person, and it is so true what he says about motivating his staff in his Business Insight (DW 18 February). He made sure that everyone’s ’emotional buckets’ were brimming.

By giving everyone nicknames, he would demonstrate a closer affinity to his staff and show how well he knew them. I will always appreciate the way he referred to me, in the presence of clients, as ’Little Richie Poos’. Drawing attention to my below average physical stature used to fill my emotional bucket to overflowing. On arriving at dinner for a judging event with some highly regarded creative directors, I found a baby seat in my place. Little things like this make staff feel valued.

Another of Jones’s most successful management traits is his ability to explain any situation using football metaphors. His ability to fire staff randomly on a Monday morning, depending on the performance of his beloved Manchester United football team, was something he failed to mention.

Richard Holley, Creative director, Diesel, by e-mail

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