The unexpected things that make us better at what we do
We’re often taught to compartmentalize who we are. There’s the “professional self,” all résumés, metrics, and deliverables. And then there’s everything else: the poet who finds rhythm in the mundane, the dancer who leads with presence, the quiet weekend cricketer who knows when to wait for the right moment.
But what if those other parts weren’t separate? What if they’re exactly what makes us better at our jobs?
At our agency, we believe people are more than job titles or KPIs. We are more than a mind behind a machine.
So we asked our teammates from around the world to share a piece of themselves with us. The brief was simple but deeply personal:
“I’m a ________ and a ________. Tell us how one of those things unexpectedly shapes how you show up at work.”
What came back was a collection of stories that were touching and illuminating. Proof that our personalities, passions, and personal histories aren’t distractions from performance. They’re often the quiet engine behind it.
Culture as a Compass
For Yahaira Cortez, an Account Manager in Los Angeles, growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants taught her the kind of nuanced communication that can’t be taught in a classroom. “Those values shape how I build trust with clients,” she says, “and how I work toward their success every day.”
In Delhi, Kritika Khunteta, a Campaign Operations Manager, brings a different kind of duality to work: “I’m a realist with a sweet tooth, navigating life one truth and tiramisu at a time.” Her realism keeps her grounded, while her ability to find joy in small things adds lightness to high-pressure days.
Chris Yeung, a Programmatic Strategist in New York, attributes his strategic boldness to his roots: “I’m a foodie and a native New Yorker.” He explains how growing up in a city bursting with flavor and culture made him curious, adventurous, and unafraid to push boundaries, all essential qualities in media planning.
And then there’s Lulu DeSouza, an Account Executive Assistant in the UK. With family roots tracing back to Uganda, Portugal, and India, and a passport filled with stamps from across the globe, Lulu has learned to observe before she acts. “Travelling has helped me connect brands to diverse audiences more meaningfully,” she shares.
How Who We Are Shapes How We Work
Others found direct lines between hobbies and high performance.
In Jakarta, Agung Firdaus credits his background as a drummer for his precision in media execution: “Timing and detail make all the difference.” His colleague Ario Bimo Novianto, both a dancer and a runner, puts it beautifully: “Dance taught me flow. Running taught me grit. Together, they help me know when to pause and when to push.”
Barsha Dam, a Lead Data Analyst in India, channels her background in dance into storytelling: “Rhythm and discipline help me bring flow and structure to data.” Meanwhile, Vrinda Anil, our Global Content Manager, draws from her life as an artist: “Sketching taught me what looks good before I ever stepped into marketing. I may not be a designer, but I know how to make content come alive.”
The Heart Behind the Hustle
Some stories reminded us that resilience often comes from the most unexpected places.
Ashish Lohani, our Finance Partner in India, finds strength in two places: the cricket pitch and his love for music. “Cricket taught me not to give up until the very last ball. Singing keeps the rhythm alive in me.” Similarly, Abdur Rahman, an Account Manager in Dubai, blends the focus of a fitness enthusiast with the compassion of a mentor: “Mentoring teaches me the power of collaboration in overcoming challenges.”
In Singapore, Melody Hung uses her love for fitness and adventure to stay open, strong, and ever-evolving. “Living in new countries and constantly learning about different cultures taught me the most important lesson, about myself.”And Heng Zhong, an Account Manager in Australia, shared a deeply personal reflection: “Being a queer, non-binary person taught me empathy. My many hobbies fuel my ideas. Together, they help me resonate more deeply with clients and colleagues.”
This Matters, People Matter
The people we’ve highlighted here come from different cities, countries, roles, and walks of life. But they all share one truth: they are whole humans, bringing their whole selves to the table.
This matters because when we allow people to be more than just what they do, they give more than just what’s expected. They show up with empathy, originality, grit, and insight. They innovate because they’ve lived things that trained them in other ways.
In a world driven by performance, it’s easy to reduce people to numbers or job functions. But we believe that the best work doesn’t just come from sharp minds, it comes from richer lives.
So here’s to the artists, the runners, the parents, the dancers, the dreamers. To the ones who bring rhythm, discipline, resilience, joy, and curiosity from outside the office and infuse it into everything they touch within it.
We are more than our roles.
We are more than minds behind machines.
We are human, and that’s our greatest strength.
