Are you a ‘Childish’ or ‘Childlike’ Marketer?

Written By: Zena D’souza

Do you think that both the words mentioned in the title can be used interchangeably – far from it?

Let us start with the definitions of both before we move on to why one of them is important for marketers.

The internet uses words like ‘immature’ or ‘bratty’ to describe childish behavior. A person who pouts and sulks for not getting his/her way could be described as childish. However, childlike means to behave like a child, which is definitely far from childish. Some qualities for being childlike are – unbound curiosity leading to exploration, the ability to keep asking questions till you don’t get a satisfactory answer, and delight in the smallest of things.

So why am I talking about being childish or childlike to pharma marketers?😊

The short answer is that I wish more of us would become childlike, and some of us should stop being childish. Allow me to explain.

As a marketer, curiosity is definitely a virtue, and we all should be as curious as possible.

Only then will we go searching for concerns/issues and not be satisfied till we get to the bottom of them? The relentless asking of questions, even to oneself, is something that all of us should possess and pursue. What? Where? When? And Why? – are the 4 ‘Ws’ that can give answers to many a question.

Another quality we can learn from a child is to be happy and celebrate. We need not wait for a major milestone to celebrate – in fact, small celebrations done regularly can do a lot to boost the morale of the team and ourselves.

As for being childish – many of us tend to sulk when our ideas have not been accepted, and worse, many of us tend to create disharmony in the team when we feel neglected or ignored.

While our ideas/initiatives would have been good, it’s not necessary that all of them be accepted. Also, the mature thing to do would be to have a face-to-face conversation with the leader and understand the other’s point of view.

So fellow marketers always aim to be ‘childlike’ and not ‘childish’.

Keep the child inside you alive and kicking always.😊

Do let me know your thoughts on this.