Eleven years at one company, on 11/11? That’s a milestone that feels both cosmic and fitting.
For Tyler Schmitt, VaynerMedia has been more than a workplace—it’s been home for over a third of his life. Now, as VP of Core Relationships, Tyler has witnessed it all—from the scrappy early days of social media to the transformative AI revolution. I sat down with him to explore the lessons he’s learned from over a decade of building connections, pushing boundaries, and finding growth in moments of failure.
Here are his 11 candid lessons that might just change the way you think about your career:
Change is the Only Constant
Me: “Tyler, what’s been your biggest takeaway from 11 years here?”
Tyler: “The only thing that’s been true over the years is that change is inevitable. When I started, social media was exploding. Then came mobile-first content, and now it’s AI. Each shift has fundamentally changed the way we operate. I remember when Gary would tell us about the shift from linear content to digital—now it’s about what tools like ChatGPT or other AI systems can do for content creation. Pandora’s box is open, and we’re not going backward.”
Patience is a Virtue
Me: “What’s something you’re still working on?”
Tyler: “Patience, for sure. Everyone wants things to happen yesterday, but impactful things take time. I think back to the early days of projects like Gary’s K-Swiss partnership. It wasn’t an overnight success—it took months of collaboration, building trust with stakeholders, and figuring out the manufacturing cycle. Patience lets you see those projects through to the end.”
Who You Work with Matters More Than What You Work On
Me: “Any early career moments that stand out?”
Tyler: “The K-Swiss partnership was a defining moment. I was managing Gary’s schedule, while Andy Krainak was handling distribution and D-Rock was all over creative. We were this scrappy, tight-knit team managing everything from shoe colorways to the global rollout strategy. That experience solidified my belief: the people you work with are everything. The bond we formed made the work more meaningful.”
Balance is an Ongoing Challenge
Me: “What’s been the toughest part of your career here?”
Tyler: “It’s finding balance. Gary often says, ‘To be selfless, you need to be selfish,’ and that’s a lesson I’ve lived firsthand. You can pour yourself into work, give everything to your team, but at some point, you have to step back and fill your own cup. It’s a constant ebb and flow—especially during the pandemic when mental health took center stage. Finding that equilibrium is always a work in progress.”
Trust is the Foundation of Leadership
Me: “What’s your biggest leadership lesson?”
Tyler: “Trust first, empower second. Gary taught me that the best leaders don’t micromanage—they create opportunities and then let their teams run with them. As a leader, I try to ‘bake more cookies,’ so to speak. If someone wants a chance to shine, I give them the tools to succeed and then back them, even if they fail. People don’t forget leaders who trust them.”
Do the Thing
Me: “How has your approach to creativity evolved?”
Tyler: “The only way to innovate is by actually doing. It’s easy to talk about ideas, but until you execute, they’re just theories. Whether it’s launching car talk podcasts or testing AI in content creation, you learn by getting your hands dirty. For example, watching Nick Miaritis create viral content himself—while running a massive portfolio—shows me the value of staying connected to the work.”
Show Up and Stand Out
Me: “What advice would you give to someone starting here today?”
Tyler: “Be in the office as much as possible. When you’re present, you absorb so much—culture, collaboration, and those organic moments that lead to new opportunities. I spent my early days saying yes to everything. That habit of showing up, staying late, and being around for unexpected moments gave me a different level of exposure. You can’t replicate that through Slack or email.”
Say Yes to Random Opportunities
Me: “What advice would you give to someone starting here today?”
Tyler: “Be in the office as much as possible. When you’re present, you absorb so much—culture, collaboration, and those organic moments that lead to new opportunities. I spent my early days saying yes to everything. That habit of showing up, staying late, and being around for unexpected moments gave me a different level of exposure. You can’t replicate that through Slack or email.”
Seek Discomfort
Me: “How do you push yourself to grow?”
Tyler: “In my first year, I would journal every morning, reminding myself to do something uncomfortable. Whether it was introducing myself to a stranger in the office or sending a bold email, I wanted to build the muscle of seeking discomfort. Growth doesn’t come from staying in your comfort zone—it comes from pushing boundaries.”
Go Harder
Me: “What would you tell your younger self?”
Tyler: “I’d tell myself to go even harder. Say yes to more projects. Post more content. Stay an extra 30 minutes at the happy hour. I’ve always tried to squeeze every ounce out of every opportunity, but looking back, I’d tell myself to push even further. There’s always more to give.”
The Magic is in the Non-Transactional
Me: “What’s the secret sauce of Vayner?”
Tyler: “It’s not just a job. If you want this to be a transformative experience, you have to lean in beyond the transactional stuff. Show up for more than just the paycheck. Build relationships, connect the dots, and contribute in ways that aren’t on your job description. That’s where the magic happens.”
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