Poor Leadership - Anonymous employee Verbal+Visual Employee Review

I've been working here for two years and it's really restored my faith in the agency business model (I worked at 2 previous agencies before this). The business structure is lean and adaptable, which allows the org to move quickly and make strategic bets. There are more freelancers than FTE which sets a high bar amongst FTE on strategic alignment, documentation, and modeling the behavior we want to see. It eliminates the politics and instead requires the org to be clearer and more intentional in how it functions in order to be able to onboard new folks and create a welcoming and productive work environment. Long FTE employee and client retention (3+ years) serves as good evidence that the model is working.

The downside of a lean team is that there's not much slack in the system. There are often more priorities than capacity for our FTEs to tackle, so it can be challenging to deprioritize or delay good ideas. Also, with the hybrid freelance/FTE model, it concentrates the ultimate accountability into a small group, which can be stressful at times. It's definitely an always-on work environment (such is life in client services).

At Verbal+Visual, our senior team thrives on autonomy and leadership—everyone has the space to own their work, lead initiatives, and make a real impact. We’re genuinely invested in helping our clients’ businesses grow, and we push one another to deliver thoughtful, high-quality solutions that truly move the needle. There is no red-tape. If you have an idea, the team will work together to bring it to life!

Because Verbal+Visual is a flat, senior-led organization, there isn’t a lot of hand-holding or step-by-step oversight. This means it may not be the best fit for someone who needs constant direction. To thrive here, you need to be self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership.