Jessica Green is a communications and social media marketing specialist with clients ranging from tech startups and local retailers to non-profits and national apparel manufacturers.
With a focus on corporate communications, community management, email marketing, web development, search engine performance, analytics/insights, and writing/editing, Cursive PR was created to help brands discover untapped digital opportunities that inspire conversations and convert fans to ambassadors.
Jessica is the head of fundraising for the Corsage Project, a nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the Children’s Aid Foundation to provide formal attire — free of charge — and educational bursaries to Toronto-area students in need.
The Difference Between Good And Great | I believe that confidence is the great differentiator.
A Key Talent | Confidence. Having experienced attempts at age-related intimidation in the workplace first-hand, I’ve learned that cowering only makes you complicit in the cycle. The most effective form of retaliation is outperformance, which is fuelled by none other than self-assurance.
While biases still exist, we’ve come a long way in terms of achieving equal outcomes for all people in the professional space. I’ve come to realize that “contemporary” barriers – like guilt and rampant insecurity about kicking ass – are self-imposed. If you’re willing to rock the boat, you deserve to get a turn driving it.
The Characteristics Of Success | Growing up, I was never allowed to sleep in. I resented my mom for it until I realized that a productive day is one where I’ve earned my sleep. It’s about waking up, planning your attack and contributing to the world in some meaningful way.
As well, I remind my team to block out white noise and focus on the endgame. We operate under the assumption that we only succeed when our clients succeed. It always has to be a win-win.
In an address to the graduating class of his alma mater, comedian, actor and musician Tim Minchin shouts, “Rejoice in what you learn, and [share] it!” Learning from and sharing with my team, colleagues and clients has inspired me to think pro-actively, push creative boundaries and explore new terrain.
Critical Skills I Develop | Adaptability. I typically have a plan that includes a beginning, middle and end, but I’m always ready to rethink, readjust or refocus along the way.
Lessons I Have Learnt | Learning to surround myself with people who are much smarter than I am.
Dealing With Doubt | Don’t over think it. Our minds are our greatest assets, but they can also be our worst enemies. As humans, professionals, friends… we have to make hundreds of decisions and micro-decisions every day. Over-analysis can be crippling; Jonah Lehrer, author of How We Decide, calls it “decision-making quicksand”. I try to arm myself with a set of criteria for making a decision and then stick to it.
Performing At My Peak | Lots of sleep and downtime to optimize my mental energy. I’m a social being by nature, but if I relish in my solo time to make lists, create timelines, set goals, catch up on the news, and of course, watch TV. We could all work forever if we wanted to, but burnout is no fun.
Resources I Use To Stay Inspired | I make lists. Also, nothing clears my mind like an intense bike ride, weeding my garden, a trip to the AGO, or several hours of reality TV.
The Best Advice I’ve Received | The best advice I’ve ever received is to take care of myself both physically and emotionally. One of my uncles always tells me that if I’m not “healthy as a horse”; I’m of no use to anyone.
I Am Inspired By | My brother. He’s incredibly resilient and has the gift of seeing only the positive in everyday life — traits that come from our mom. He’s also a self-taught polyglot who’s en route to becoming a doctor.
Also, I read Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl in grade four. I have this vivid memory of making the connection between art and escapism for the first time. That’s when I started writing short stories. I didn’t fully appreciate the profundity of the book until someone later explained the significance behind that one line: “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
