In our pre-show series for Future of Finance Marketing, we go behind the scenes with speakers and partners to learn more about each person’s creative process, tools, and career—the stuff we don’t get to talk about on stage.
In this episode, Temeka Easter Rice, Head of Social Media at Vanguard, shares her creative process, the power of cultural awareness, and how goal setting with accountability can elevate careers. Below are a few takeaways—listen to the full episode for more insights.
The Six “I”s of CreativityTemeka approaches creativity with her “six I” framework: Investigate, Imagine, Involve others, Innovate, Impact, and Ignore the noise. Whether it’s dreaming big or tuning out naysayers, these steps offer a roadmap to meaningful, impactful work. Her advice? Start with a blank sheet of paper: "I like to draw arrows, process maps, ideas, and circle things. That’s where my ideas start from."
The Right Accountability PartnersFor Temeka, goal setting is more than writing down aspirations—it’s about accountability. She works with a trusted partner to reflect quarterly on progress in five areas: financial, professional, spiritual, relational, and physical goals. She notes, "Having an accountability partner who listens without judgment has been key to my success."
Expanding Beyond Your BubbleTemeka emphasizes stepping outside personal interests to truly understand culture: "Culture is all around us, but it’s also about groups we’re not a part of." Her advice? Explore communities, music, and experiences beyond your comfort zone to stay relevant and informed.
Knowing When to Stay or GoOne standout piece of career advice? Define what you want to accomplish in any role and what experiences you hope to gain. This dual focus helps determine when it’s time to move on: "It helps you say, ‘I did what I came to do. It’s time to grow.’"
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