“Lead with kindness,” Jade Watts from Carat

Meet Jade Watts, Client President at Carat, where she brings over 25 years of media planning and buying strategy and operational experience to her role. She leads innovation and omnichannel campaigns across many verticals, delivering media plans that disrupt the norms to drive businesses forward. Jade has been recognized on the Campaign US “40 over 40” list for her noteworthy client work and leadership contributions. With the help of  her team, her work has also led to Effie Awards and other industry recognition. In addition to her professional work, Jade spent time on Boston’s Ad Club Board of Directors and actively volunteers at Boston’s largest homeless shelter, Pine Street Inn.

Jade met with Deirdre Locksley, Associate Director, Content Marketing, SiriusXM Media, to discuss how kindness, curiosity, and hard work can drive your career down the path of success. 

Give the full interview a listen to hear the actionable advice Jade shared. When you’re done, hit play on some highlights from the conversation. 

Show vulnerability.

Highlight: “Really lead with kindness. And part of that is showing vulnerability and reminding yourself that being vulnerable is definitely not a weakness. It's what makes us more human, and it makes people want to connect with you more… As I changed my leadership style to adapt to more of that, what I realized is people respect you more. People ultimately wanted to work for you more. And I think that's what really drives stronger and more connected teams.” - Jade Watts

Stay curious.

Highlight: ‘It's more important now than ever before that we are open-minded. And stay open-minded when it comes to other people's ideas, other people's points of views, and just to be curious. When somebody asks me, ‘How can I be successful in media?’ I always say to them, ‘Be curious, the most successful people are curious.’” - Jade Watts

Be the hardest worker in the room.

Highlight: “You don't always need to be the loudest in the room or even the smartest in the room, but you do need to be the hardest working in the room… I think a lot of people fall into the trap of thinking that talking more in meetings makes them look smarter. But for me, it's really always been about actions. It's about getting things done and bringing creative solutions to the table, challenging the status quo, and making sure at the end of the day that no one outworks you.” - Jade Watts

Take the long view. 

Highlight: “It's okay to pivot. It's okay to learn. Be a newbie and learn something new. That's what makes us who we are. And ultimately all those pieces build our careers. And so I've been lucky enough in my career to have the chance to pivot and learn new things. And all of that has been totally instrumental into who I am today and where I've gotten to today… So, I think it's important to always take the long view of your career, and remember, you don't always have to be in the upward movement. Take the long view, stay curious, and don't be afraid to explore different paths.” - Jade Watts

Don’t let other’s doubts define you.

Highlight: “When someone tells me I can't do something, that is fuel for me. It pushes me to work harder, to prove them wrong, and to even prove to myself what I'm truly capable of. That truly is where my motivation comes from. And I think more than anything, it's really an example that I set for my teams, for the younger people that I mentor, and even my own son. It's important that when others doubt you, you don't let their doubts define you. You let your response to their doubts define you.” - Jade Watts

Stop chasing balance.

Highlight: “As women, we have to find this balance between home life and work life and our careers and our children, et cetera. I have this very close mentor who is very successful in our industry. She's also a mom. And when I first had my son, one of the things that she had said to me was at one of the peaks of my career. She said, ‘Hey, stop chasing balance. You will never find it, and you will drive yourself crazy trying to find it. There's days where you will overindex on being a mom, and that's okay. There are days where you will over index on work, and that’s also okay. It's not about balance, it's about the ebb and flow of it.’ That perspective has been such a gift to me as a working mom.” - Jade Watts 

Jade’s leadership style is undoubtedly making waves in the media industry. With more executives leading with kindness and empathy, the way women build their careers is on a brighter, more supportive path. For more inspirational content like this, check out the Pass the Mic page. 

Ready for More Actionable Advice?