Mad Men

Mad Men ran for seven seasons on AMC from 2007 to 2015 and follows Don Draper (Jon Hamm), the star creative director of a Madison Avenue advertising agency in the 1960s.

Don Draper’s presence

Don says little and means every word. He stays calm when others panic, makes decisions and never explains himself more than necessary. His clothes are perfect, his posture relaxed, and he is the one everyone in the room watches. Women are drawn to his mystery and his quiet certainty.

The dark side

The show never pretends this is a happy life. Don lives a double life, cheats on the women who love him and drinks to escape a past he keeps hidden. Behind the perfect image is a man who doesn’t know who he is.

What you can learn

• Less talking, more presence. Calm pauses and eye contact are stronger than long explanations.
• Lead the room. Don’s decisiveness is attractive in meetings and on dates alike.
• Image is not identity. A polished surface without honesty ends in loneliness.

Verdict

One of the best TV dramas ever made and a masterclass in masculine presence, as long as you take the style and leave the lies.