Honestly, this is a role I never imagined myself filling. But when the opportunity arose to manage projects above the creative level I jumped on it. What I found was that the same basic strengths that served me so well as a creative director were equally valuable here, with added emphasis on my communication skills. What was new was the necessity of an added level of diplomacy and documentation. Dealing with external clients with billables into seven figures can turn client meetings into therapy sessions, assuaging the fears and calming the concerns of people whose responsibility and accountability exceeds even your own. But if you can keep your head when those around you are losing theirs...