5 Minutes With Quan Martin

#TeamMindshare believes in Speed, Teamwork and Provocation. As we adjust to working differently, we're continuing to empower people to challenge the status quo and drive Good Growth for our clients and the industry. Growth isn’t just a flash in the pan, but it’s enduring, diversified, and more sustainable over time. We’re proud to be unmistakably #TeamMindshare, and make it the place where we do the best work of our career, grow and have fun. Hear from Quan on how she's adapted, what her biggest learning is and how she stays inspired.

Biggest learning from your career

Work on things that fuel you. Give it your all so it brings out the sense of pride, accomplishment, and passion. I’ve certainly been lucky to do so through my 20+ years in this business. It doesn’t have to be working on the largest account or spearheading a glamorous client assignment. It can even be a small task that makes a significant impact, that simple change for the better. Fuel that fire on a regular basis, don’t let the flame burn out and always make it a point to continuously learn something new. If you can find a project that you care about at your core, it will make a significant difference. Even in greatest careers there will be tough days, but it won’t last. But doing something that matters can be the beacon that always rises to the top.

One word to describe the last year?

Harmony. The difference between work life balance and work life harmony is simple. We’ve been conditioned to think that true happiness lies in achieving a balance between our work and our personal lives.

Under this new way of thinking, work-life harmony allows us to prioritize our lives differently to what we value most. It becomes less about balancing an imaginary scale and more about the orchestra you lead.

Work-life harmony is about focusing your energy and where to invest in to make your life richer. We are living and working in an incredible time and it’s up to you to define the right harmony.

Best advice you gave out about hybrid working?

Make connecting with others a priority beyond a typical status meeting. Since working remotely for almost two years, it is important to have valuable touch bases more than ever. Whether it’s with a professional colleague, friend or family member, each relationship you build adds another beam of support. 

Although productivity can increase by working alone (we’ve proven that!), one of the greatest successes often comes when you create and work with a network of friends and colleagues. It also builds a positive culture. Ask thoughtful questions, truly listen to differing opinions, use your own strengths to benefit others and lean into your network if you need extra guidance. Making 1:1 connection a priority can improve every aspect of your life in more ways than one.

How have you stayed inspired?

To stay inspired and to lower my stress, I’ve turned to staying healthy and fit. Before, it was a chore, but now it’s becoming a daily refreshing practice to stay mentally and physically healthy.

I also stay inspired by leaning into more of the little wins, not necessarily always the big victories. Sometimes the little wins can be as simple as making it through a really long week. Our industry is very fast paced with quick deadlines, tumultuous budget cuts, and we can get into “let’s get it done” approach quite often. When we finally make it across the finish line, I think it’s important to celebrate all the little and big wins on what we accomplished as individuals and team. Take time to praise and appreciate the blessings.

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