In my two decades in the business, I have written award-winning campaigns for iconic brands. “Give me something worth selling and I will sell it –  just like that!”, would be my oft-repeated line. But when I sat down to write about the brand that I have known all my life – myself – the long-forgotten ‘writer’s block’ suddenly loomed over me. The thought of extolling my virtues made me cringe. Unlike the CVs that I had seen over the years, I didn’t want to be the ‘best creative director in the region’. Or ‘the finest creative mind around.’ Superlatives soon joined the crumpled balls of paper in the wastepaper bin. Then I went back to what I have believed in all along. Speak from the heart. State the facts and let people draw their own conclusions. So here it is, folks: I got into advertising at the tender age of 16 and not a day has passed when I haven’t felt a sense of wonderment about being in this incredible industry. I have had the most incredible journey that let me walk the corridors of renowned agencies like Lintas, Y&R, BBDO, TBWA and DDB - day in and day out for 23 years. I worked with the greatest minds on this voyage of learning and unlearning. Everyone speaks of learning, but it is unlearning the worn-out theories and evolving with the times that makes us sharper. Precisely why despite being an Executive Creative Director, I preferred surrounding myself with the young turks and learning new tricks from them rather than intimidating them with my ‘title’.  I love what I do insanely. I write. I think. I tell stories. I believe the best way to lead your team is to lead them by example so I roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty. When I took on the reins of the creative department for the first time, I asked myself “how am I going to be different as a leader?” And the answer was simple: passion is contagious, let it spread. Make your team love what they do. Believe in them and they will believe in themselves. Happy people produce amazing work. Let them walk in with anticipation in their belly and have them leave in the evening with a sense of fulfillment. You get these two ends right and what happens in between is pure magic. I did what I believed was right for the brands and won over 50 global and regional awards for it (Cannes, Clio, One Show, NY Fests, EPICA, LIAA, Dubai Lynx, MENA Cristals) But there are many who have won a whole lot more more. See, I told you I am not ‘the best creative director in the region’