The Creative Director
Who Needed to Lead
With Confidence
Ravi was a talented senior creative at an international advertising agency. Very smart, but he struggled with two things that mattered more in his day-to-day:
Managing client conversations without shrinking or over-apologizing.
Giving clear, constructive feedback to his junior team—without coming off as cold or vague.
*Photo is a stock image. Story is real.
Phase 1: Discovery
Through our discovery session and assessments, it was clear Ravi prioritized harmony and others' comfort over authentic self-expression.
He felt the desire for freedom from social expectations and pressures.
We needed to create a simulation journey that helped him practice setting boundaries, take up space, and maintain his authentic self-expression even when it might create tension or discomfort for others.
The Simulation Journey
Our simulations were all connected to each other creating an entire narrative arc. Each simulation got progressively harder and pushed Ravi further.
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Ravi faces Josh, an overenthusiastic junior steamrolling a flawed concept.
Despite Josh’s charm, he ignores feedback, defends his idea fiercely, and subtly undermines Ravi’s authority.
Ravi’s challenge: stay grounded, assert his creative direction, and resist people-pleasing in a high-pressure, emotionally charged conversation designed to test his leadership.
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Ravi is blindsided by Jade, the firm’s top creative, who is furious over a botched idea with his name on it.
Under fire for a mistake he didn’t directly make, he’s forced to stay composed and own the moment.
Ravi’s challenge: take responsibility, and lead under pressure against a superior.
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Ravi meets with an important client who dominates the conversation, dismisses his expertise, and pushes unrealistic demands.
The client’s charm masks their control tactics.
Ravi’s challenge: hold his ground, reassert creative authority, and steer the conversation without escalating tension—balancing diplomacy with a firm, confident presence.
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Josh returns after receiving critical feedback and is visibly upset. He’s shut down, withdrawn, and questioning his own value. He’s not combative this time, just lost.
Ravi’s challenge: stay grounded, reconnect with empathy, and find the right words to re-engage Josh without rescuing him. He has to balance leadership with emotional intelligence.
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Ravi faces a high-maintenance client with unrealistic expectations, constantly changing demands with an air of entitlement.
Nothing Ravi presents seems to satisfy them, and they challenge every decision.
Ravi’s challenge: Manage the client’s escalating demands, and firmly set boundaries while striving to preserve the business relationship.
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Ravi must let go of Josh, his emotional junior, due to persistent performance issues.
Josh is blindsided and defensive, taking the news hard.
Ravi’s challenge: deliver the difficult message with empathy, stay calm despite Josh’s emotional reaction, and manage the conversation with professionalism, ensuring respect for both sides.
The Coaching
Ravi was paired with our coach Julia. Over three 1:1 sessions, they worked together to highlight his strengths, and build on his weaknesses.
Julia noted Ravi’s remarkable ability to stay grounded and responsive, especially when the stakes are high. He’d embraced the challenge of balancing empathy with authority, and surprised himself with how capable he was in creating space for open dialogue while maintaining clear boundaries.
Julia pushed Ravi to trust his instincts and express himself without hesitation. His authenticity and humor are his superpowers, and even during the toughest conversations and moments, Ravi brought them to the table.
The Results
Ravi shared how profoundly The Boom Room transformed him. Pushing himself through challenging situations was "extremely valuable", as he felt it ignited a whole new level of self-discovery that continues to shape him.
Ravi told us how he now connects with his team with newfound authority and honesty. "I feel, oh at least 50% more confident overall," he said in an email. He’s deeply excited about the lasting impact this experience has had on his professional presence.