Liz Ross is the CEO of Periscope, an advertising agency out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She’s a leader with a lot of heart, invested in the people she leads, and direct and clear with her expectations. In leading teams, Liz is personable, inspiring, and encouraging. I’m honored that I got to speak to her about her leadership style, and her philosophy behind it, for Jump Start Your Joy.
Liz and I met when she was the president of Tribal DDB in San Francisco. What I loved about her was her acknowledgement of each person for who they were, and what they individually brought to the team. She understood that team work could be complicated, but also knew that when a good team is fostered and nurtured, great results are often the outcome. And, what stood out for me, and the members of the team at Tribal is that we had one of those “once in a lifetime” types of experiences. Where people and teams and clients and work all merge into something special. For that, I’m grateful.
In this episode, Liz and I talk about:
– what a full service ad agency provides to clients
– the wisdom that developed naturally from being the daughter of a painter and a computer programmer
– how Advertising is a blend of art and science
– revisiting the early days of advertising with brands like Netscape, Amazon, Google, Dell, and GE
– her start and grounding in business development with ad agencies
– where Liz is happiest from a working perspective (growth + direction)
– the crossroads of ‘bossy’ and heartfelt
– how to look at management from a people-first perspective, and why it works
– how a shift from manufacturing to service based industries changes how we collectively treat a workforce
– looking at life balance as something that effects all people in a work force, whether or not they have children, and understanding that all people make sacrfices in working at a company
– transparency and accountability being the keys to great team work
– how to get any team to deliver work for you
– how owning a failure benefits the team
– the balance of sharing one’s personal life as a leader
– how “giving,” as a philosphy, changes the life of the giver and everyone around them
Resources
Periscope on the web.
Liz’s bio on the Periscope site
What leaders have inspired you in your life, and how?
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Julie
January 27, 2016 at 9:33 pmWhat an important topic; thanks for sharing this! I especially love the quote above!
Alice
January 28, 2016 at 8:12 amGreat post! Thanks for the motivation
Eugenia
January 28, 2016 at 2:24 pmThanks for sharing such useful post and podcast! It’s very interesting to me as I’m in advertising and marketing field! Love your blog 🙂
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
January 29, 2016 at 1:06 amOMG, I love how you talk about how advertising is a blend of art and science. It totally is!
Karen
January 29, 2016 at 1:09 amLove that you got to interview her! Jealous! Really love how being a “person” is a priority! 😉
Karen | GlamKaren.com
Kori
January 29, 2016 at 2:18 amAdvertising, to me, always seemed to have an element of psychology to it 🙂 There was a time that I wanted to get into advertising or at the very least into marketing and PR.
Ellen
January 29, 2016 at 3:57 amI think the owning a failure point is right on target! So many people in management seem to miss this, and it really speaks to one’s integrity to own it.
laura londergan
January 29, 2016 at 6:05 amit sounds like you guys have it covered. these are all great topics and it’s so important too as everyone tries to stay balanced and work as a team whether in an office or part of a family – the premise is still the same
Ana De- Jesus
January 29, 2016 at 8:18 amI need to jumpstart my joy it has been lacking recently because I am so fatigued and ill. I agree advertising is a blend of science and art.
jill conyers
January 29, 2016 at 9:28 amI love love that quote! I really need to reconsider joining periscope.
Rachael
January 29, 2016 at 10:01 amOh yes, the people first approach to management is so important! I love Liz’s quote, and I am happy to say that following a diverse career background, I now only work with people who genuinely care about others. And it make all the difference. 🙂
Heather Lawrence
January 29, 2016 at 2:00 pmYour question at the bottom of your post has left me thinking…I wouldn’t say it has been the leaders in my life that has inspired me but the women in my life. Daily they encouraging me to reach out, be myself and share my gifts and talents with those around me.
Erin
January 29, 2016 at 3:34 pmAdvertising truly is a blend of art and science! I never thought of that before but it truly is!
KatyRose
January 29, 2016 at 4:20 pmWow! Love what she has to say about the importance of the person, even over being an employee! That is so often missing from the business world, but it could make a huge difference in so many corporations if they would just take the time to consider that. – Katy
Susannah
January 29, 2016 at 6:10 pmI love that you’re able to interview such influential people! Liz Ross sounds like a wonderful lady!
Melisa
January 29, 2016 at 6:18 pmGreat interview and insights on team building. Transparency and honesty is the key to all team successes, no matter how big or small.
Paula
February 1, 2016 at 6:23 amThank you – I love that Liz invites both transparency and honestly into the team environment. It’s definitely something that can come from the top down, and have huge impact.
Di
January 30, 2016 at 12:26 amOk I really need to think about getting into periscope. I love watching my favorite scopers, but the whole idea of it being live freaks me out! Too much of a control freak!
Debra
January 30, 2016 at 1:46 amI love that quote that you pulled out! I think when companies lose sight of their employees as people, they have really lost the vision!
Kacie
January 30, 2016 at 1:53 amYou always interview the most amazing and inspiring individuals! She seems like an awesome leader, and I love her people-first attitude.
MyTeenGuide
January 30, 2016 at 2:49 amShe sounds like an awesome leader.
Yona Williams
January 30, 2016 at 3:46 amHow sad is it that I can’t think of a leader that has inspired my life? I like Ross’ viewpoints on not seeing people as just employees and genuinely caring about them as individuals.
Ana Fernandez
January 30, 2016 at 4:08 amShe sounds like an awesome person! Thanks for sharing this interview it’s really inspiring and motivating!
April G
January 30, 2016 at 4:12 amLots of people inspire me from Oprah to my personal friend and mentor. What a great interview.
Margot
January 30, 2016 at 4:26 amGreat podcast Paula! As a sometimes bossy person I love the part on bossy and heartfelt. Liz sounds like a great leader.
Paula
February 1, 2016 at 6:21 amHa! I am also a sometimes bossy person, and I think there’s power in “bossy.”
sylvie
January 30, 2016 at 5:47 pmlove meeting inspiring, successful, creative women! Liz Ross has a wonderful perspective on her industry and seems to be an incredible leader!
Stacey
January 30, 2016 at 9:28 pmBut yes, Periscope the Ad agency is not Periscope the live broadcasting app 🙂 As mentioned, finding the balance is hard and people do make sacrifices to get work done.
Aubrey
January 31, 2016 at 3:12 pmPodcasts are all I listen to in the car = I need to check your podcast out. Thanks for letting us know about it.
Krystal
January 31, 2016 at 7:55 pmI love hearing her story! Totally inspirational.
Keisha
January 31, 2016 at 8:05 pmYes advertising is art and science. Great interview and very inspiring!
Yanique
January 31, 2016 at 8:23 pmI can get behind any leader who appreciates the value of team work. I can’t wait to listen to the interview!!
Hannah
February 2, 2016 at 4:37 amWhat a wealth of information. It seems like she was an awesome guest on the show. She seems like a great leader as well, valueing everyones specialties etc.
laci
February 5, 2016 at 2:26 amI absolutely love podcasts so glad I found them new to me !! Laci
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