I founded Targa Media in 2002, working as a designer to deliver timely, targeted marketing materials and build lasting client relationships. That trust fueled two decades of growth. In 2023, Heather and I opened a new chapter by promoting Taleen Ericksen as co-owner. Shared leadership has proven to be a powerful propellant, adding depth to our services and expanding the vision for our team. What we have today couldn’t exist without that partnership. And over the past two years, I’ve learned some meaningful lessons about what it takes to nurture a thriving leadership dynamic. In this article, I’ll provide a checklist that I’ve seen make a difference…

 

“Ten years ago, I wasn’t ready to lead a “people” role. Today it’s the most fulfilling work that I do. I have Targa’s leaders to thank for it.”

Transcending Titles

Now, as we mark our two-year anniversary, I’ve been reflecting on what enriches partnerships—and more importantly, what makes our team work. Because, while Taleen and I carry the title of partners, the leadership dynamic at Targa is much broader than the two of us. This article’s feature image highlights Heather, Alison, Lisa, Taleen, and me—and the unique energy each of us brings to the table. We’re all different people from different walks of life, who strive to lead with one voice. Not by losing our individuality, but by building trust through it.

Is Leadership Fixed or Flexible?

What we’ve built at Targa is a leadership dynamic where:

• We teach by example
• We make room for course correction
• We check in often and honestly
• We rely on each other in ways that go well beyond job titles

Whether it’s a campaign deadline, a client pivot, or a team member navigating something hard in their personal life, we show up. Not because it’s our job, but because it’s our culture.

We Lead by Living Whole Lives

Another lesson I’ve learned in these two years: I’m a better leader when I allow myself to live a whole life. Our team sees me stepping away to coach, walk my labradoodle Pepper, spend time with Heather, reminisce with my dad, or catch up on D&D podcasts with my 15-year-old.

Mentoring Without Micromanaging

One of the most rewarding parts of leading this team is watching others step into their leadership voice. Sometimes that looks like mentoring a younger designer. Sometimes it’s suggesting a smarter workflow or questioning a strategy with care and clarity. At Targa, mentorship isn’t a top-down exercise. It’s embedded into how we work, review, and create. We believe in:

• Letting people try
• Giving meaningful feedback
• Making room for growth—even when it’s messy

We’re not afraid of course correction, because that’s where real leadership happens. No one on our team is expected to be perfect—but we are expected to keep learning, keep iterating, and keep supporting each other.

Takeaways for Marketing and Sales Teams

If you lead a creative or demand generation team inside a larger company, there are a few lessons here that can strengthen your team dynamic and your outcomes. Whether you’re an internal marketing leader or collaborating with agency partners, here’s a checklist that we’ve seen make the difference:

• Define who owns the “voice of the customer.” Is it marketing? Sales? Both? Who’s responsible for surfacing key customer insights to the creative team?
• Hold regular cross-functional check-ins. Creative work improves dramatically when marketing, product, and sales align upstream—not just during review cycles.
• Mentor through feedback, not fire drills. Rushed projects and fragmented feedback undermine creativity. Build a rhythm where feedback feels like growth, not damage control.
• Celebrate progress, not just launches. Wins don’t just happen at the finish line—acknowledge milestone moments that show growth, clarity, or smart pivots.
• Model humanity in your workflow. Let your team see that being creative and being a whole person is not a contradiction. Lead with presence.