Creative workers are highly independent and thus their relationship with conventional managers is somewhat problematic. You need to be able to provide what they need whilst bearing in mind that creative workers are often moody and rather emotional individuals. This cautionary note comes from the website of the INSEAD business school.
Do you know where the real tension between a focus on business and those who are creative is almost tangible? Luxury and fashion. In these branches the competition is really tough, which is why creative employees are often under considerable stress: they are expected to meet tight deadlines and their superiors want them to promote their work, as well as establishing and nurturing relationships with customers.
Hard professional life of creative people
During the first 10 years of his career, Galliano finished only two collections per year. Before he was sacked from Dior, he was responsible for launching 32 collections in a single year. So he was in effect a manager, even though he lacked any sort of training for such a role: he was a designer.
Star designer Alexander McQueen said that while he was creative director at Givenchy, it was at the expense of his creativity. If creative workers have to meet quotas, their creativity and productivity usually shrinks, which creates additional pressure and stress.
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