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Reflections from Creative Coaching by 2022 Mentee Anne Akongo

20 April 2023

REFLECTIONS FROM CREATIVE COACHING BY
2022 MENTEE ANNE AKONGO


Anne's coaches were Sebastien Boutebel, CCO, Saatchi & Saatchi ME, Dubai; 
Suhayl Limbada, Chief Marketing Officer, KFC Thailand, Bangkok and 
Tim Hawkey, Chief Creative Officer, Area 23, New York

 
The creative journey can be attributed as interesting, fun and even fulfilling. It can equally be complex, often overwhelming and unclear. Starting out, the latter description fits more. 
 
LIA's Creative LIAisons program could not have come at a better time to help me appreciate this beginning stage of my career as a creative. Through interactions with my coaches, I have been able to envision my journey and had enough reason to believe that the end will definitely justify the challenging start.
 
In your youth, there is room for you to take risks, diving headfirst into mucky waters. Giving life a shot, and when you fail, another. It is with this boldness that my coach Sebastien Boutebel transitioned from being a young creative in Montreal, to a CCO in Saatchi & Saatchi Dubai. Fifteen years later, having worked in different parts of the world, he said simply, “creative work transcends culture, because the right idea with the right insights resonates anywhere. It helps to have a solid creative process to enrich your creativity.
 
Against the beautiful backdrop of the Dubai skyline, Sebastian ended the call by reminding me to pursue my dreams with passion.
 
I asked my next coach, 'Just how long has your journey been?’, he replied ‘16 years’.
 
In this period, Suhayl Limbada had to pursue a Masters degree to add to his knowledge, and afterwards do a job that had absolutely nothing to do with his profession, but that taught him a lesson he carries on to date. Now, serving as KFC’s CMO in Thailand and having to compete with the much appreciated local cuisine, Suhayl shared tips on selling in such tough competition. His philosophy? Anything, absolutely anything, is possible. 
 
Suhayl’s grit and positivity are quite inspiring. He urged me to make the most of everyday, and in everything, be excellent!
 
Then I spent an hour with Tim Hawkey. One thing about him, he is funny! Through his comical humor, Tim shared insights on how he has implemented incredible organizational effectiveness at Area 23 and grown the team and its profits to an all-time high. Tim’s way of succeeding is failing. In his career, he has failed so many times, it’s helped him know what to do. 
 
Tim’s discipline has sustained the consistency in good results for himself and his team. He strongly believes in setting very specific long-term goals and is unafraid of seeking accountability for their realization. 
 
Thank you so much LIA. This experience was amazing to say the least. I would also love to thank my mentor, a strong woman, who inspired me to be a creative, Waithera Kabiru. Thank you for daring to break the conventional stereotype towards Marketing in Kenya, and for your effort in building a solid structure for mentorship through the Marketing Society of Kenya. Thank you for nominating me as a LIAisons mentee, I owe this transformative experience to your generosity. You saw me, and I will always be grateful.