08/11/2025
If you can’t read the room, that’s how you lose it.
Let me explain.
In the creative industry, your skill alone isn’t enough, you need to understand the language of the market. How you show up, how you speak, how you adapt… that’s what sets you apart.
Big shoutout to Hinn Walubengo, he made a video some time back touching exactly on this, and it reminded me of something that happened to me a while ago.
So, a friend and I were invited to a dinner meeting. The plan was to discuss business ideas and possible collaborations. One of the guys we met came in dressed sharply, suit, tie, the whole look. You could tell he was ready for something serious.
Now, what I didn’t know was that he was a deeply spiritual person. Which again, is perfectly fine. But the problem began when he couldn’t separate the business setting from his personal expression. Every time he spoke, he quoted scripture. And don’t get me wrong, everything he said made sense. But the tone and flow made it feel like a sermon instead of a business discussion.
I could literally see our bosses zoning out. One even whispered, “Can we focus on business, please?”
After the meeting, the feedback I heard was tough but honest:
“If we ever need someone to pray before a meeting, we’ll call him.”
That hit me hard.
Because the guy was brilliant, but he failed to read the room.
And that’s where many creatives lose opportunities.
You might be talented, skilled, and passionate, but if you don’t understand your audience or setting, you’ll miss the moment.
Flexibility is key.
You can be spiritual, funny, or opinionated, but always know when and how to bring that side out. Let your work and behavior reveal your values. You don’t need to shout it.
Sometimes, being professional doesn’t mean hiding who you are it means knowing when to express which part of yourself.
That’s how you earn trust.
That’s how you build long-term relationships.
That’s how you stay relevant in rooms where others get replaced.
Always remember: Read the room. Adapt. Add value. Then speak.