Designing with EQ Featuring Jackie Hinke

Welcome to 'Designing with EQ' by Carat, Dentsu's content series that delves into the unique perspectives, passions, and talents of its agency team members and how they influence its approach to design for people and brands. 

In this edition, we sit down with Jackie, who shares her insights on the role of emotional intelligence in her work and how her diverse background and inquisitive nature have shaped her career journey. Check out the full interview below!

Q> What is the best career advice you have either given or received?

Jackie> The best career advice I can offer is to advocate for yourself, especially when it comes to advancing and growing your career. Sometimes, it's easy to get comfortable and complacent when you start at a company, but at dentsu, there are numerous opportunities that are designed to help you flourish, such as networking and personal growth opportunities, as well as learning and development. I've made a conscious effort to leverage these resources to advance my career and strengthen my network. Additionally, it's important to vocalize your goals and ensure you communicate them to your superiors while seeking their support. Being true to yourself and expressing your aspirations to the right people is crucial.

Q> How do you bring EQ into your day-to-day work?

Jackie> I try to bring emotional intelligence into my day-to-day work by being a people leader first. It’s so necessary to lead with empathy and to demonstrate compassion for those you work with. Everyone has lives outside of the workplace and they may be navigating personal challenges while also trying to be the best worker they can be. Giving people grace when they need it and showing kindness fosters a respectful, healthy work environment that builds trust and community. It’s something that I work hard to create on my team. 

Q> Where do you look for inspiration?

Jackie> I find inspiration in various places, but a significant source of inspiration for me are the leaders I work with at dentsu. I admire how they communicate and have handled different situations, especially recently when our team faced a significant challenge, resulting in the loss of an account I was working on. Different leaders played different roles in this process; some brought humanity, others infused humor. Our leaders do a great job of not dwelling on adversity, learning from the challenges we face and acting on it so we can ultimately relish and celebrate our wins. I look up to them and try to emulate them as I continue to grow as a leader myself.

Q> What is something unique about you, your background, or your role that you bring to the Carat community?

Jackie> During college, I explored various career paths through internships in digital marketing, hospitality at a casino in Atlantic City, the music industry, and ad sales. It was my internship in ad sales that ultimately led me to my career in media buying. My unique background involves knowing a little bit about many different fields, nurturing my curiosity, and being an early adopter of new trends and innovations. I enjoy being the person who leans in on special projects and evangelizes new knowledge to my department. My sense of curiosity and adaptability have shaped the worker I am today, always striving to learn and push forward.

Q> How would you describe your job to a child?

Jackie> If I were explaining my job to a child, I'd compare it to a big shopping spree for a family during back-to-school time. It's like going to a store, just like a family buys paper products in bulk from a place like Costco. Instead of buying paper products in bulk, I’m buying airtime in bulk for the year. This helps me get the best price for what I'm buying for the whole family. Sometimes, one size doesn’t fit all though, and I need to buy certain items for different family members – oatmeal for grandpa, baby food for a child, wine for mom, to cover off on what they specifically like to consume. I can also go back to the "store" throughout the year if I need to purchase more, just like a family might return to the store for more supplies.