About three times a week I get an email from someone in the recruiting world that says something like "I'm looking for a Rock Star flash designer" or "I'm looking for a Rock Star copywriter." They then go on to ask me if I know anyone.
Here's what strikes me as odd.
No one is really looking for a rock star. Rock stars--at least the cliche versions thereof--most often lead dissolute lifestyles. They show up late. Ingest things they shouldn't ingest. Sleep with things they shouldn't sleep with. They smoke and drink and whore. And they're demanding.
Of course, to go along with all their peccadilloes, or to counter-balance them, rock stars are usually extraordinary talents.
Agencies who say they are looking for Rock Stars supposedly want their talent. I'm sure they don't want their peccadilloes. Which means they don't really get Rock Stars because Rock Stars don't come without peccadilloes.
Here's the point.
If you want the gain you have to deal with the pain.
Most companies however want it all.
But what they get instead is shit.
