Mitch Monson, Executive Director of Creative and Partnerships at Sibling Rivalry, shares his extraordinary journey from self-taught graphic designer to creating iconic work for Prince, Marvel, and the Olympics. With a unique background spanning military nuclear submarine service and backcountry snowboarding, Mitch offers insights on risk-taking, leadership, and the power of saying yes to opportunities that initially seem beyond your capabilities.
The conversation explores how a young Minneapolis design company landed Prince as a client, leading to the creation of his famous Love Symbol. Mitch reveals how his self-taught background became a superpower, allowing him to break rules he never learned and approach creativity without traditional constraints. His military training instilled leadership principles of "leaders eat last," while extreme sports provide the mental reset necessary for sustained creative output.
Key Takeaways
- Risk-taking is life-giving: Mitch doesn't see risk as dangerous but as the moments when he feels most alive and engaged
- Self-taught advantage: Not knowing the rules can be a superpower, enabling rule-breaking and fresh approaches to creative challenges
- Invest in yourself first: Don't wait for permission or company funding to pursue growth opportunities - make it happen yourself
- Document the journey: Taking photos and reflecting on moments helps appreciate achievements and motivates future growth
- Geographic flexibility accelerates success: Being willing to move for opportunities significantly impacts creative career trajectory
- Leaders serve their teams: Military-inspired leadership means putting people first and working for your team, not the other way around
- Silence enables creativity: Finding quiet spaces (like mountaintops) provides essential mental resets for sustained creative work
- Community over competition: Bringing people together through programs like Assembly creates value for the entire industry
- Iteration builds excellence: Working with demanding clients like Prince teaches rapid iteration and maintaining high standards under pressure
- Presence matters: How you show up - like Prince arriving ready for stage at 9am Sunday - sets the tone for professional relationships
- Embrace being uncomfortable: The anxiety and fear in creative work are normal; the key is not letting them prevent action
- Military training translates: Skills from high-stakes environments provide calculated risk assessment and preparation for creative challenges
Daring Creativity. Daring Forever. Podcast with Radim Malinic
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