#30 Insights from an Ex-Netflix Creative Mastermind 💬

Hey Right Brained Human 👋🏼 !

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Back in 2022, I bumped into Adri Lodolo, a product manager/creative strategist based in LA.

She had a knack for keeping us all on the edge of our seats with her intriguing insights and Netflix backstage tales.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela to Italian parents, Adri's life story is as global as they come, with stints in Venezuela, the U.S., Chile, and Argentina. Her unique viewpoint, fortified by her expertise in culture, entertainment, and tech, gives her a unique ability to connect with all sorts of audiences. Adri's driving mission? To create a positive ripple effect and push for personal growth and excellence.

I've been bursting to share Adri's wisdom with you all. I'm betting you'll find her insights as valuable and fascinating as I do! Don't miss her list of favorite resources shared right at the end.

👉🏼 7 Questions | 🕛 Read Time: 7 minutes

Apeksha: Adri, Which side of the world are you on, a generalist or a specialist, and why?

Adri: I consider myself both! My global experiences in fields like media and tech have equipped me with specialist and generalist skills. This has given me a diverse perspective that helps me work well with global teams and tackle worldwide issues.

I've an incredible passion for design thinking, storytelling and strategy design, which I've studied in depth. I think my ability to be both a generalist and a specialist is a strength that allows me to see the big picture and focus on important details when needed.

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Apeksha: In what ways has your diverse skillset empowered you to make unconventional choices in your creative endeavors?

Adri:
→ Throughout my career, I have made unconventional choices and pivots thanks to my diverse skillset. One of my most memorable experiences was when I arrived in Argentina with only my demo and determination. Despite not knowing anyone in the media industry or the city, I walked into the office of one of the biggest broadcasting companies in the world and requested an interview. I was fortunate enough to secure a senior role, which led to working on pan-regional campaigns for their Latin America portfolio.

→ Another significant moment was when my husband and I moved to the United States. We arrived with only green cards and a willingness to embrace a new culture and language. Although challenging, it taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and continual learning.

→ After a recent layoff from Netflix, I pivoted towards Product Management in creative AI. Leveraging my experience, I’m now honing skills in this dynamic field. I aim to blend creativity and tech responsibly, aware of AI’s potential and ethical implications. Despite the challenges, I’m excited about this new direction.

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Apeksha: Can you recall when feedback or criticism significantly impacted your perspective or approach? How did it influence your work?

Adri: I’ve discovered feedback is crucial for professional growth. While at the broadcasting company in Argentina, my manager pointed out my isolationist work style, despite my high-quality creative output. This feedback was an eye-opener.

Post-reflection, I understood my lone-wolf approach limited innovation and collaboration. Seeking diverse perspectives from project inception has since enhanced my work and fostered a more inclusive, collaborative environment.

Now, I champion open dialogue and constructive criticism within my teams, strengthening our output and personal growth. This experience underscored the value of embracing criticism and varied viewpoints for success - a lesson I’ll carry forward.

Apeksha: Can you share an instance when you had to compromise your creative ideas for practical or commercial reasons? How did you handle it?

Adri: There was a notable instance at Netflix where I had to navigate the delicate balance between creative integrity and practical commercial considerations. A content executive wished to depict a character diverging from the original content. Our policy stressed content fidelity, but I also prioritized building solid, trustworthy relationships.

Instead of directly pushing back, which would have been the safest and quickest solution, I chose to take a more nuanced approach. I explained the long-term implications of not accurately portraying the character, while also trying to understand the underlying reasons the executive had for making that request.

I worked with my designer to adjust the design to meet the executive's needs without compromising the character's essence. After testing the revised artwork with the showrunner, they felt the character was authentically portrayed despite the creative tweaks.

This path required more time and patience, but it allowed me to maintain the creative integrity of character while embracing the vision of the leader. Most importantly, it allowed me to maintain the trust I had built with the content team and the showrunner. This experience taught me that sometimes a longer road can lead to a solution that respects both the creative and commercial perspectives, fostering stronger relationships.

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Apeksha: Have you noticed times when your impostor kicks in? How do you deal with it?

Adri: Yes, at times, I’ve experienced imposter syndrome, especially when I first started at Netflix. It was overwhelming to learn a new industry and deal with a variety of new complexities, and I felt like I didn’t know enough.

However, I learned that the best way to deal with those feelings was to face them head-on. I asked my team for feedback, and their responses were insightful. They appreciated my unique perspective and fresh ideas that had previously made me feel like an outsider. My “outsider-ness” was my strength and added value to our discussions and decision-making processes.

Ever since, I've prioritized open communication with colleagues and partners. Instead of assuming, I actively listen and understand their needs. It's a constant learning process, but incredibly rewarding.

My advice for imposter syndrome? Seek feedback, communicate openly, and embrace your uniqueness – it makes you a valuable asset to your team.

“

I’ve made it a point to communicate openly and regularly with my colleagues and cross-functional partners. Instead of assuming my vision is wrong or giving up, I listen and understand their issues and needs. This helps me determine what I need to change, continue or start over. It’s a constant process of learning and adjusting, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling.

Adri on Managing Impostor Feelings

Apeksha: What is creativity for you? Do you have any specific rituals or habits that help you get into the flow or enhance your productivity?

Adri: When I am feeling creative, it’s a personal journey between my mind and the world around me. Though challenging, I have a few tricks to help me get into the groove.

1. Long walks with my dog, Taco, offer a serene space for idea generation.

2. Whether through reading, podcasts, or online courses, continuous learning is another creativity booster, often drawing inspiration from unrelated fields.

3. Collaboration also sparks ideas, with my husband being my go-to brainstorming partner.

4. Road trips, especially to National Parks, offer a unique inspiration.

5. Lastly, I've learned to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. It allows me to take risks, stretch my creative boundaries, and evolve.

That’s a glimpse into my creative process – a journey with its ups and downs, but one that I I wouldn’t trade for anything.

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Apeksha: Lastly, any anecdotes or cool resources you may want to share with all of us?

Adri: Absolutely! I have a few favorite resources and a fun story that I’d love to share with you.

📖 Book: One that’s close to my heart is “The Little Prince”. It’s a beautiful read, whether you’re a kid or an adult, always offering fresh insights into life’s deep questions.

👾 Game: “Katamari Damacy (Reroll)” is pure fun! Since its launch, I’ve been hooked on its gameplay and quirky perspective on interconnectedness.

💡Online Learning: Learning never stops. I’ve been taking fascinating courses at Stanford, Wharton, and platforms like IDEO, Hyper Island, and 42 Courses. 42 Courses stands out with short, interactive lessons taught by top creative minds.

🎈Mentorship: Mentorship has been crucial in my recovery from the layoff. My mentors have provided wise advice, trust, and daily motivation, keeping me on the growth path. Equally, being a mentor has allowed me to share my learnings and support others, contributing to my own development.

💬 Networks: Having a strong professional network has been a real game-changer for me. LinkedIn is my go-to platform for connecting with peers and thought leaders, and for keeping up with the latest industry trends.

🔗Connect with Adri

Linked In
Her website

Hope you enjoyed reading Adri's insights!
I will be back with another surprise next week!

Stay creative,
Apeksha
Right Brained Human

Being Right Brained

#30 Insights from an Ex-Netflix Creative Mastermind 💬

Back in 2022, I bumped into Adri Lodolo, a product manager/creative strategist based in LA.

🔗Connect with Adri

#48 Network, the right way

#47 Ever thought of taking a career break?

#46 I was so close to art, yet so far!