Our biggest takeaways from one of our favorite conferences

Earlier this year, we immersed ourselves in a world of unbridled creativity at a conference hosted by The One Club. With expectations high, surrounded by industry heavyweights, we weren’t just attendees; we were sponges, ready to soak up every drop of wisdom. And, oh, did it deliver! Here are our top five takeaways that not only resonated with us, but reminded us of all the reasons we value what we've been building at XDA.

1. Culture is Everything

Culture isn’t just a buzzword; it’s your lifeblood. It needs to start from within and seep into every crevice of the work; making it richer, more vibrant, and unmistakably you. It’s about confidence — creating safe spaces for sharing and honest feedback and cutting through the noise to find the best ideas without endless meetings. Culture? It’s the secret sauce of your agency, a proprietary method you can’t get anywhere else.

Remember, you can’t spell culture without "cult." Embrace your quirks, your unique lingo, and invite clients to dive in headfirst with you. It's about choosing your battles, knowing who you are (and who you’re not), and celebrating those who make the culture thrive. Because, at the end of the day, your agency is as much about the people as it is about the work you produce.

WHY WE LOVE THIS

We, too, believe our agency starts and ends with culture. Our founder, Steve Shlansky, once told us this story about accompanying his father to work in NYC when he was a kid, and how it amazed him that his dad was such a different person at work than he was at home. Steve pledged to himself right there that he would always be the same person, living the same values, no matter where he was. And we still deeply feel the ripple effects of that today. It’s this inherent permission, and encouragement, to show up as ourselves, to bring our realness — the things that make us both super interesting and total weirdos — to work with us every day. It’s how we’ve curated a group of the kindest badasses you can find in this industry.

2. Be Brave

Bravery is the cornerstone of creativity. It’s about stepping into the arena, ideas in hand, ready to face whatever comes. Sure, brave work might ruffle feathers, but that’s the point. It’s about believing in your vision, even if you stand alone. Remember, your ideas don’t define you, but the courage to share them does.

Bravery, and in turn, creativity, can’t be exclusive. It’s a mindset that we all need to share and be excited about, so everyone feels like they can bring their “dumb” (read: most creative) ideas to the table.

WHY WE LOVE THIS

We embody a “no guts, no glory” mindset. There is a razor thin line between the most ridiculous and the most brilliant idea in the room, and we ride that line all day. Because when our people feel supported to take risks, to challenge, to rethink, and to sometimes get it wrong — we appreciate that’s the only way we’ll ultimately get it right.

3. Clients = BFFs 

Great work is born from great relationships. It's about building trust, getting comfortable, and truly understanding each other. This symbiotic relationship is a dance of mutual growth and respect, sharing insights and setting boundaries to foster a genuine connection.

In relation to your client, selling big, brave ideas, (the ones that are behind the best work) requires a deep understanding of the brand. You can’t really KNOW a brand without knowing the people who run it, and keeping them close. That means no surprise reveals, making them part of the process; it's about building trust and navigating the journey together.

WHY WE LOVE THIS

Relationships are at the core of what we do. We know that when we genuinely care about our clients on a human level — not only is the work better, but our hearts are a little bit fuller too. One of the things that’s helped us do this, is using our values as a two-way agreement we hold one another accountable to every day. They guide us in vetting talent and clients. They anchor us in the highs and lows of agency life. They help us deliver feedback and they illuminate the path to personal growth. When you join our team or when we join yours, we both agree to be real, to be bold, to be clear, and to be kind. It’s a compass that always leads to better, braver work.

4. Be Undeniable

Individually it’s important to know your worth. Bring your unique perspective to the table and be ready to make your mark. Ask the hard questions, do the homework, and always come prepared. Your insights are your currency; spend them wisely to elevate the conversation and drive your vision forward.Being the calm in the storm, understanding the intricacies of the business, and keeping an eye on the bigger picture — these are the traits of a leader who makes brave ideas a reality.

WHY WE LOVE THIS

We truly believe experience is our currency. Our happiest team members are the ones with the most vibrant lives outside of work. That’s why we encourage our teams to go out in the world and live their lives colorfully because the things they experience make the ideas and the work that much more interesting.

5. Emotion is a Hell of a Drug

Connect on a deeper level. Make the problem you’re solving resonate emotionally because when people feel, they listen. If you have a good idea and you want to make it stick, give it a memorable name. Make it sticky. Language binds us, it becomes a shared understanding that goes beyond a one-off idea and fuels our culture.

Finding a cause greater than the sum of its parts, a reason to push through the doubts, to create something truly unique is what sets us apart.

WHY WE LOVE THIS

We will forever be neuroscience nerds. This isn’t just intuition, it’s science. There is something that happens at a cellular level when we interact with a compelling piece of art, when we experience a micro moment glimmer, when we give something a name that we can’t stop thinking about, when we connect human to human. It’s true, emotion is a hell of a drug. And when it comes to brand experiences, we love being the biggest dealers of it out there.

ALL IN THE NAME OF CREATING BETTER

At the end of the day, we’re here to stir the pot, to evoke, to inspire. So, let’s be brave, let’s revel in the joy of creation, and let’s make every day a testament to our relentless pursuit of better.

If you want to join us in creating better for your team and your brand, let’s chat. Hit us up at hello@xdagency.com and tell us more.

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