Unlimited Talent

There’s some joy in looking back at how things used to be. When building for the web often felt like a one-man show. You could design, code, write, and launch something entirely on your own. For many of us, that’s how we started: figuring out HTML late at night, fiddling with inline CSS until it looked just right, and piecing together entire projects with nothing but a text editor and a dream. Back then, it was possible to do it all yourself. The web has grown up, and so have we. Today, the work is bigger, more complex, and deeply collaborative. It’s an ensemble.

Working together has its own kind of magic. You’ll find yourself surrounded by people whose talent leaves you in awe. They’ll bring ideas you never would have considered, solve problems you didn’t even see, and push the work to heights you couldn’t reach yourself. When you’re used to owning every detail, learning to share the load can feel like losing control. And when everyone brings their own ideas, it’s easy to get attached to your own version. The same goes for others on the team. Hierarchy and personal momentum are also in the mix.

Balancing all this talent and passion takes meekness, practice, and patience.

In some client work, this balance gets tested even more. It’s tempting to fight for that clever solution—and the reality is, it’s not about you. Or anyone individually. It’s about solving a problem together. It’s about helping others let go of their attachments—including your own. Letting go of your vision while allowing others to do the same is part of the job. It’s necessary if you want to create something that is truly functional.

Even with the best plans, things go wrong. We make mistakes. Deadlines slip. Clients throw curveballs. Sometimes, the very people you’re trying to help end up making things harder. It’s important to step back and hold the space for your team to succeed. That might mean protecting them, owning up to a misstep, or simply reminding everyone that mistakes are part of the process.

I’ve made plenty of mistakes—misjudged situations, failed to communicate clearly, overlooked contributions. It’s so humbling. Acknowledge it, learn from it, move forward. The beauty of working with others is that, together, we’re more potent than any one of us could ever be alone. 1+1+1 ≠ 3.

Looking back, I’m kind of struck by how much of my career has been shaped by the people I’ve worked with. From strategists and creative directors to marketing experts, to juniors and client people. Projects come and go, and the people? They’re what make it all worthwhile. Other people’s talent is what keeps you inspired. Stay kind.