Bossing It: Lessons in Creative Leadership
An experienced, entrepreneurial media executive specialising in growth through measurable solutions, Nikki has a proven track record of rebuilding, relaunching and re-engaging with brands. Currently the executive vice president, managing director of Zenith Canada, Nikki is a bold leader who pushes boundaries to deliver outstanding client results, connecting the dots between innovation and ROI. Under her leadership, she has helped deliver up to triple-digit year-over-year increases in revenue, unlocking new opportunities for her team.
At the forefront of Nikki’s leadership style is a strong desire to foster a safe environment for teammates where they can truly be themselves. Her greatest priority outside of client satisfaction, is ensuring her teammates are happy and thriving in their positions, and as a result, her team has a very low turnover rate. Dedicated to leading with purpose, Nikki also sits on several boards, including Spark Center, CMDC and NABS.
Prior to her current position, Nikki held several other senior leadership roles at Publicis Media where she built her reputation as an emotionally intelligent, empathetic and inclusive mentor to many of her colleagues. In her spare time, Nikki spends time with her family, hiking, reading, watching movies and trying to figure out if golf is a pleasure or a punishment.
LBB> What was your first experience of leadership?
Nikki> In the early days, presented by an incredible opportunity to lead a revenue team in a start-up tech company during the exciting era of early digital media, I made my first foray into leadership. It was like navigating uncharted territories, where every decision mattered and innovation was the lifeblood of the company. This experience laid the foundation for my leadership journey while ignited my passion for guiding and empowering others.
LBB> How did you figure out what kind of leader you wanted to be – or what kind of leader you didn’t want to be?
Nikki> Discovering my leadership style was a process that involved insights from different mentors who left an indelible mark on my perspective. One mentor reinforced with me that health and family should never be compromised. That stuck with me and guided my commitment to leading a balanced life while inspiring others to do the same. On the inverse, I’ve also worked with a leader that thought by writing paycheck every other week, the team should be grateful. It was a solid reminder that leading with the person first mindset and doing what’s right for your people even when it’s hard, that it’s the type of leader I wanted to remain.
LBB> What experience or moment gave you your biggest lesson in leadership?
Nikki> One of the pivotal moments that shaped my leadership journey was when faced with inherited a team that I didn’t personally build. Each member had incredibly unique aspirations and backgrounds. I had to find ways to elevate each of them to be their absolute best. Every person wants something different from their career and has various backgrounds that they can draw on. Taking the time to Know your team gives you the best chance of helping each of them thrive.
LBB> Did you know you always wanted to take on a leadership role? If so, how did you work towards it and if not, when did you start realising that you had it in you?
Nikki> Leadership was not on my radar. Several times I found myself shifting away from it, unsure if I had what it took to guide others. In addition, the weight of being accountable to others success, seemed very scary. Yet, while pursing personal growth, there was continuous draw towards leadership opportunities. Fortunate to have worked for leaders who saw something in me and encouraged me stretch myself out of my comfort zone. Gradually, I started to recognise that leading others and empowering them to reach their full potential was not only a responsibility that I embraced, but also became a source of personal fulfilment. The realisation that I could thrive while guiding and supporting others to reach their potential, forever changed the trajectory of my professional journey.
LBB> When it comes to 'leadership' as a skill, how much do you think is a natural part of personality, how much can be taught and learned?
Nikki> 50/50. The part that is natural is likely life experience which makes you relatable and gives a genuine empathy for others. The remaining taught, is self-motivation to keep learning on how to remove your own barriers such as removing biases or working in a hybrid world.
LBB> What are the aspects of leadership that you find most personally challenging? And how do you work through them?
Nikki> One of the aspects of leadership that I find the most personally challenging is the emotional investment in my team. When you genuinely care about your people, its hard to disconnect from it and not carry the weight of those who may not have the same level of commitment and work to their own growth and development. It can be disheartening to see individuals who don’t fully embrace the opportunities before them or fail to put in the necessary effort to learn new skills for their development. Regular touch bases with your team members, not only lowers attrition rate, but gives you the chance to ask about what motivates them and where they see their growth. Just remember to action those conversations with follow-ups that can help them achieve those goals.
LBB> Have you ever felt like you've failed whilst in charge? How did you address the issue and what did you learn from it?
Nikki> We all fail. It is an inevitable part of personal and professional growth. If you are not failing it means you are not challenging yourself, and not taking chances to change the world for the better. Creating a psychologically safe environment, where you celebrate failing quickly, allows teams to pivot with guidance and is the best way to address these issues. It’s a way to encourage innovation and growth mindsets, while learning how to not repeat the same errors multiple times.
LBB> In terms of leadership and openness, what’s your approach there? Do you think it’s important to be transparent as possible in the service of being authentic? Or is there a value in being careful and considered?
Nikki> When it comes to leadership and openness, I passionately believe in finding a balanced approach. Yes, I am open and transparent. How can my team be set up for success if they don’t know what’s happening around them. On the other side, it’s easy to recognise the importance of being mindful and thoughtful in how information is shared. While transparency is vital, it is equally essential to consider the impact of the information and the context in which it is presented. There can be instances where an overwhelming amount of information may hinder productivity or create unnecessary confusion. To combat that, you need to take the time to think about the best way forward, and then share with a solution-based approach.
LBB> As you developed your leadership skills did you have a mentor, if so who were / are they and what have you learned? And on the flip side, do you mentor any aspiring leaders and how do you approach that relationship?
Nikki> I strongly believe in the power and necessity of mentorship. Having that added safe space with an outsiders POV can be exceptionally helpful. Having a mentor who has played, and still plays, a significant role in my growth. It helps me through the tough conversations when feeling stuck. It cannot emphasise enough the exceptional help and support received from my mentor. In turn, I take immense joy in paying it forward and mentoring aspiring leaders and don’t plan to stop. Its very fulfilling to watch someone else grow, and to know you got to play a small footnote in their success.
LBB> It's been a really challenging year - and that's an understatement. How do you cope with the responsibility of leading a team through such difficult waters?
Nikki> Leading a team through such challenges has been no easy task. In such times, I believe in the importance of getting in the weeds with them. When you see what they are up against, you can help move obstacles out of their way easier. In tough times, making their day to day easier, is the best source of help for your experts. This not only supports their growth, but also supports mental health, preventing burn out, and creating a psychologically safe environment to thrive. It also illustrates how they can support those around them as they start to foray into leadership roles.
LBB> This year has seen the industry confronted with its lack of action / progress on diversity and inclusion. As a leader how have you dealt with this?
Nikki> We have been head on with our approach to DEI for some time. We have and continue to make great strides with ensuring our objectives are met to create a space were all feel welcomed. We collaborate closely with clients who prioritise DEI in their brand positioning and overall planning process. We support them by having dedicated DEI planners create and review plans to optimise inclusion. As a woman with a diverse background myself, walking the walk is necessary to ensure the road is smoother for those starting their journey.
LBB> How important is your company culture to the success of your business? And how have you managed to keep it alive with staff working remotely in 2020?
Nikki> Culture is particularly important. Fostering a high-performance team that is driven, innovative, positive, that delivers - and to have fun - is the goal. When remote work became the norm in 2020, we adapted by emphasising open communication, using digital tools, and keeping strong connections through virtual meetings and informal chats. We encourage idea-sharing, feedback, and celebrating achievements to boost morale. Supporting work-life balance and supplying resources for remote productivity and well-being are also priorities. Thankfully, having had the pleasure of remote work at least in part for close to 20 years and led teams with that flexibility as well. That perhaps was an advantage we had, allowing us to have best practices already in place for culture building remotely.
LBB> What are the most useful resources you’ve found to help you along your leadership journey?
Nikki> A mentor. It's a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and receive guidance from someone who brings a fresh perspective to the table. Having a mentor who is not directly involved in my day-to-day work allows for unbiased insights and advice. Having someone who can provide guidance, offer insights and with whom you can talk through challenges with is the greatest tool I have been given.
