If you're someone who loves commercials the most, you're out of luck.

Our industry studies communication and makes it our work. While we deal with clients and consumers daily, I sometimes worry whether communication with our own colleagues is truly smooth.

This feeling hits me hard every time a colleague moves to another company. A copywriter I worked with for ten years, an art director who shared five years of ups and downs—when they leave, I sometimes wonder if my own communication was the reason.

I also keenly feel the importance of communication when hiring replacements. In a rush to find candidates, I posted the following on social media:

"Dentsu Inc. Korea Creative Team is seeking an Art Director at the Deputy Director level. Interested candidates, please apply!"

Only four resumes came in. My message must not have resonated. I took a step back, rewrote the post, and reposted it.

"If you're interested in the Art Director position at Dentsu Inc. Korea's Creative Team, please apply. We're looking for someone who can laugh, cry, and enjoy life with us. We'll have to decline those who love advertising above all else in the world. Because the world holds so much more than just advertising—films, music, novels, art, travel, and so many other wonderful things. We want to meet someone with rich imagination and deep empathy. I myself have worked at Dentsu Inc. Korea for many years. I started aiming to be a producer and copywriter. Now, as an Art Director, I primarily handle clients like Company A, Company B, and Company C. Email is fine. Tell us your story."

This time, nearly 70 resumes were sent. Did the candid expression of my thoughts resonate with job seekers? It made me realize anew that the power of effective communication applies universally between people, whether in work or private life.

Clear, compelling, and honest. It's easy to forget amidst daily busyness. But as long as we continue this work, it's a communication principle we must never forget, whether in the East or the West.

 

(Supervised by: Dentsu Inc. Global Business Center
Hangul Translation Support: Dentsu Inc. Korea, Jeong Minji)

Between people. Photo and author