How I Work: Steve Gorski, Head of Strategy, Forsman & Bodenfors NY
Steve Gorski believes that even the busiest people can find the time. Design by Barbara Cadorna.
Steve Gorski adheres to a certain mantra: Abundance, abundance, abundance. “A wise person shared with me the concept of operating from a place of abundance over scarcity, and it has stuck with me hard,” he said. In this “time-scarce” day and age, Gorski always finds the time — because his mentors taught him that, no matter how busy they were, he and his work still deserved theirs.
As Head of Strategy at Forsman & Bodenfors NY, a global creative collective founded in Sweden, Gorski makes stuff that people like. He leads brand strategy in collaborations with companies including Google, Volvo and Crocs. Recently, the team has made a music-video campaign with the plant-based temporary tattoo company Inkbox to showcase the brand’s embrace of impermanence as a selling point for youth.
Below, Gorski takes us through his morning routine (including a sun-rise walk around the park), the principles that guide his work, and why his dream studio is forever and always in New York City.
Gorski uses pen and paper to brainstorm before he writes his decks. Images c/o Steve Gorski.
Rise and Shine
We work very closely with our colleagues in Sweden (and other global offices), so my morning routine changes all the time depending on if I have early calls with them. But, my ideal morning starts with a workout and a walk around the park. To me, it’s nice to be up and doing something for myself before the day gets going.
Work Uniform
For a long time, I tried to find “a style” to help build a personal brand or something LinkedIn says to have. But then I got bored with that, and now I change up my style regularly. I dress for the mood I’m in or the mood I want to be in. One thing I’m not a fan of at all is collars. If I’m wearing one, people ask me what’s happening and who forced me to wear one. That happened yesterday. Anyways, here’s a picture of me wearing a collar…
Gorski dresses for the mood he’s in.
How I Structure My Day
Mornings are my time to get shit done. Earlier in my career, late nights worked best for me if I needed to work outside of the regular work day. I don’t know what changed, but that doesn’t work for me anymore. So I try to cut work off at a decent hour so I’m fresh in the morning. I think I’ll thrive on the AARP lifestyle, but it would also be cool to have a nightlife resurgence later in my life. I’m open to both.
Playlist Favorites
I tend to play full albums over playlists, but I have created a few go-to playlists that are great to have in the background when working. One is a “Lounge” and another a “Jazzy Grooves” playlist that is probably exactly how you’d think it is. The most frequent artists you’ll find there are prolific DJ producers or collaborators like Thievery Corporation, Nightmares on Wax, and The Avalanches. A good hack to concentrate for me is listening to music in a language I don’t speak — French and Japanese music often do the trick.
Tools of the Trade
There are a few principles I try to keep top of mind that guide how I work. The first is to always have the time. We are living through time-scarce times, and we ask more and more from everybody these days. But the bosses and mentors that have left the biggest impact on me somehow always had the time for me and my work despite being way busier than me. The second is that sometimes the fastest way to a solution is to do the task in three different ways as quickly as possible. Maybe it’s a brief, an idea, or something else — but being less precious and getting more out there quickly usually helps me figure out what I’m most convicted about. The third is that brilliance is rarely achieved solo. If you’re stuck, chat it out. Don’t succumb to the perception that any individual mind should be able to solve every problem, crack every brief, or cook up the big idea. Borrow others’ thoughts, steal quotes; just be gracious in giving them credit and appreciation.
Gorski views New York City as a “never-ending stimulation.”
Dream Studio
One of the reasons I love living in New York City is the never-ending stimulation, which I see more as inspiration. So, rather than create a studio tucked away in a remote space, I’d opt for a place somewhere near my spot in Brooklyn. One with high ceilings, huge windows, and a view of the interesting people out and about. One big enough for my friends to come and work on their own projects too — so a place for painting, a set up for live music, and a place for communal meals.
One Unique Thing About My Work Process
When I’m about to write a deck, the first thing I do is walk away from my laptop. I like to grab a pen and paper, sit down listening to music, and pretend that I’m having a conversation with whoever the deck is for. I just write what I would say down on paper, then afterward review it to see what the narrative is. It’s never right on the first go, but I rearrange and finesse the pieces to form it from there. I find it helpful in identifying the core themes of a narrative.
Mantra
“Abundance, abundance, abundance.” A wise person (who will recognize themselves if they read this) shared with me the concept of operating from a place of abundance over scarcity, and it has stuck with me hard. From a place of abundance, things like time, energy, grace, appreciation, and a million more positive things become readily available. From a place of scarcity, things become more precious, pressured, and negative. This is a mind shift more than anything.
My Brightest Idea that Never Saw the Light of Day
When I worked on BMW, I really wanted to partner with Adidas Originals to make apparel inspired by BMW Art Cars. Hardly the “brightest” idea, but I keep an empty hanger in my closet as tribute.
To-Do List Item That Keeps Me Up At Night
Staying better connected to my people in life. I’m not the best text or text-back-er. Which sucks for staying in touch.
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