Bossing It: Ryan Spelliscy on Radical Honesty

Ryan Spelliscy’s advertising career has spanned over a decade and has taken him from Goodby, Silverstein & Partners in San Francisco to Sid Lee in Montreal. At 36, he was named chief creative officer of J.Walter Thompson, Toronto. It’s a post that made him one of the youngest people to ever run a top agency.

Over the years, Ryan has worked on global campaigns for Adidas, SickKids, and Stella Artois, and Super Bowl spots in the USA. Fast Company calls his campaign for Hyundai Assurance one of the most memorable of the modern era. But the greatest project Ryan has ever worked on is raising his two sons and daughter.

LBB> What was your first experience of leadership?

Ryan> Eight-year-old Ryan was named captain of his hockey team. The rest is history. Kinda. 

LBB> How did you figure out what kind of leader you wanted to be – or what kind of leader you didn’t want to be?

Ryan> To be honest, I never thought about it. I always just tried to not ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do, and to lead by example versus dictate. I’ve always felt it’s better to be with the troops versus a general sitting above. 

LBB> What experience or moment gave you your biggest lesson in leadership?

Ryan> Running a business through COVID and ever-changing economic conditions is a never-ending lesson. Strong beliefs loosely held is the only way to operate. 

LBB> Did you know you always wanted to take on a leadership role? If so how did you work towards it and if not, when did you start realising that you had it in you?

Ryan> Never. None of this was planned in that way. In my opinion, leadership is the result of actions you’ve taken, not a goal in and of itself. 

LBB> When it comes to 'leadership' as a skill, how much do you think is a natural part of personality, how much can be taught and learned?

Ryan> 50/50. 

LBB> What are the aspects of leadership that you find most personally challenging? And how do you work through them?

Ryan> Managing the people side is a much bigger process than most people think. Yes, it’s about the work but the higher you go the more you’re dealing with differing opinions and POVs. 

LBB> Have you ever felt like you've failed whilst in charge? How did you address the issue and what did you learn from it?

Ryan> Of course I’ve failed. Too many times to count. The key is to look at every failure and say good, now I have an opportunity to get better, learn, get stronger. 

LBB> In terms of leadership and openness, what’s your approach there? Do you think it’s important to be as transparent as possible in the service of being authentic? Or is there a value in being careful and considered?

Ryan> Over the years, I’ve learned that radical honesty is really the only way to go. 

LBB> As you developed your leadership skills did you have a mentor, if so who were/are they and what have you learned? And on the flip side, do you mentor any aspiring leaders and how do you approach that relationship?

Ryan> I enjoy talking to people who are running other businesses in different sectors. The problems all businesses face are often similar, and I think it’s best to get outside POVs versus staying in the advertising bubble. 

LBB> In continually changing market circumstances, how do you cope with the responsibility of leading a team through difficult waters?

Ryan> See above, the notion of every challenge, change should be embraced. You have to say good when the world shifts and view it as an opportunity to make changes. Or else you go the way of Kodak. 

LBB> As a leader, what are some of the ways in which you’ve prioritised diversity and inclusion within your workforce?

Ryan> I prioritise good people. Regardless of race. 

LBB> How important is your company culture to the success of your business? And how have you managed to keep it alive with increases in remote and hybrid working patterns?

Ryan> Culture is incredibly important, when it’s at its best it’s a result of winning together versus culture onto itself. If everyone in your company is bonding over the great coffee it’s not the right culture.

LBB> What are the most useful resources you’ve found to help you along your leadership journey?

Ryan> Talking with people who have been through it. And keeping perspective. It’s all just life: You’re gonna have wins, losses, just keep going.