The Perfect Project Manager Trio: What Mad Men Can Teach Us About Management
In the dynamic world of Madison Avenue advertising, the distinct management styles of Mad Men's Peggy Olson, Pete Campbell, and Lane Pryce offer valuable insights for today's project managers. Each of these characters brings a unique approach to work, and when their strengths are combined, they form a powerful toolkit for steering any project to success. Let's take a lighthearted look at these management skills in action.
What Mad Men can teach Managers
Creativity is an art and process
Relationships rule decision making
It’s always about the budget
Peggy Olson: The Creative Visionary
First up, Peggy Olson. The talented copywriter turned creative lead embodies creativity, perseverance, and pushing boundaries.
For Peggy, success isn't just about meeting deadlines or pleasing clients—it's about creating work that resonates. She focuses on the ideas and the creative process and ensures the work stands out.
Peggy knows how to get things done, but she also knows when to step back and let the creative process flow. Her breakthrough moment comes when she tells Don Draper, "You never say thank you." This reveals her deep understanding of the emotional labor behind creativity—how it's not just about cranking out work but also about the mental and emotional investment.
For Peggy, it's not about charming the client but delivering fresh, compelling, and ultimately profitable ideas. She famously told Pete Campbell, "I'm not an account man. You're not an artist. You wanna be on some people's radar, but not on everyone's."
This is the lesson project managers need to take from Peggy: Prioritize the creative process and the ideas themselves. Stay caught up in timelines and deliverables so that you remember that the essence of any good project is a great idea that works. Creativity might not be a bullet point on a Gantt chart, but it’s the fuel that keeps the engine running.
Pro-tip for Project Managers: Trust the creative process. Encourage your team to think outside the box and reward innovation, even if it comes with a few bumps along the way. Bold ideas often yield the biggest rewards.
Watch my Peggy Playlist to unlock your Storytelling, Innovation, and Creative skills.
Pete Campbell: The Networking Maven
On the other side of the spectrum is Pete Campbell, the slick, somewhat weaselly account man who knows everyone's name—and, more importantly, what they need. Pete's strength is in relationship management. Where Peggy focuses on the product, Pete focuses on the people. He's always schmoozing, making connections, and, let's face it, occasionally stabbing a few backs to get ahead.
While Pete isn't always the most likable character, he understands the importance of relationships in business. As he says to Don Draper, "If I wasn't in advertising, I would have nothing to say." For Pete, knowing clients personally and understanding their businesses inside and out is key to building loyalty, which drives sales.
Pete is that project manager who knows how to smooth over a crisis with a phone call, takes clients to dinner to win their trust, and knows the key stakeholders like the back of his hand. He's not there to build creative masterpieces—he's there to build lasting relationships.
Pro-tip for Project Managers: Invest in relationships. It's not just about keeping the client happy during the project—it's about forging a connection that will benefit your career long after the project ends. Understand your client's business deeply, anticipate their needs and be the go-to person who can make things happen.
Watch my Pete Playlist to unlock your laser focus on people and goal-setting skills.
Lane Pryce: The Budget Hawk
And then there's Lane Pryce, the no-nonsense financial wizard who keeps the whole operation from spiraling into chaos (or bankruptcy). Lane is laser-focused on budgets, costs, and profitability, often butting heads with the creative and account teams who tend to prioritize ideas and relationships over cold, hard numbers.
Lane's approach might seem stiff, but it's essential. His mantra could be summed up in his famous line: "I don't have the luxury of deciding whether or not to care." He's there to ensure the business stays afloat, and his constant eye on the budget is the safety net, allowing Pete and Peggy to take risks and push boundaries.
Lane teaches project managers a crucial lesson: no matter how big your ideas are or how strong your client relationships are, you must stay on budget. Creativity and networking are important, but so is keeping the lights on. Lane's fiscal discipline serves as a reality check for any project manager tempted to overspend in pursuit of perfection.
Pro-tip for Project Managers: Keep an eye on the bottom line. Be the person who knows exactly where the money is going and isn't afraid to say "no" when a great idea threatens to blow the budget. Fiscal responsibility isn't glamorous, but it keeps the business running.
Build your business acumen with my "The Pryce is Right" Playlist.
The Perfect Blend: Project Management According to Mad Men
Here's the real magic: When you combine the strengths of Peggy, Pete, and Lane, you get a well-rounded approach to project management that can handle just about anything.
Creativity (Peggy) drives innovation and ensures your project stands out.
Relationships (Pete) ensure the work is seen and appreciated, bringing in more business.
Financial discipline (Lane) keeps everything grounded and profitable.
The challenge for any project manager is finding the right balance. Lean too hard into creativity, and you might need more than budget. Focus too much on relationships, and you could lose sight of the work. Obsess over the budget, and you'll stifle the creative spark that makes your project special. But blend these approaches, and you'll be unstoppable. Remember, the key to successful project management is maintaining a delicate balance between creativity, relationships, and financial discipline.
The Final Word: What Would Don Draper Do?
Of course, no Mad Men blog post would be complete without a nod to Don Draper himself. In many ways, Don exemplifies the perfect fusion of creativity, relationships, and a certain ruthless pragmatism when it comes to the business side. He's always willing to make the tough calls and isn't afraid to lean into his gut instincts.
The takeaway for today's project managers is simple: like Peggy, Pete, and Lane. Lean into your creativity, nurture your relationships, and always watch the bottom line. After all, as Don says, "If you don't like what's being said, change the conversation."
So, the next time you're leading a project, remember to channel the spirit of Sterling Cooper. A little creativity, a lot of schmoozing, and a keen eye on the budget can take you a long way.
