In our new monthly blog segment “What’s Brewing at Bigger Brains,” I’m happy to introduce members of the Bigger Brains team of experts (and the coffees that they bring to the Teams meeting table). Let’s meet Jacki Flynn!
What’s your role at Bigger Brains?
I’m responsible for coordinating content production from the moment a course enters the development process until the time it’s published.
What brought you to Bigger Brains?
Sometimes I wonder the same thing. My education and most of my career was in IT and business consulting. I met our CEO, Chip Reaves, a little over two years ago when he was looking for a team of people to create training courses for millennial managers. It was a side gig that sounded interesting, so I joined the team. A little over a year later I was at Bigger Brains full time.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
The utter lack of monotony. There are so many things that need doing, so my job is different every day.
What does it mean to you to be a leader?
To make sure people have the tools and autonomy to do their job well. It sounds corny, but I often think about giving people wings and letting them fly. This may mean investing a lot of time and energy at the start of a project or assignment to ensure people have what they need and understand what they’re being asked to do. Communication is key.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I’ve been pole dancing for the past year and really enjoy the challenge. I’m in the dance studio 4-5 days a week and I have a pole in the middle of my apartment. I also like doing puzzles, playing guitar, and hanging out with my cats Hexum and Riley. I can be a real homebody—although the pandemic is pushing my limits. I think my cats are ready for some alone time.
What’s your most memorable facepalm moment?
In 1st grade, I wrote a love note to myself from my crush and put it in my mailbox. My friend’s mom called me out for spelling his name wrong.
Where’s somewhere you’d love to travel?
I have family in The Netherlands including young nieces, so that’s often my first choice for a long trip. Ireland is on my bucket list. I want to have a beer in a cozy pub and have the entire crowd break out into song. That happens, right?
What inspires you at work?
Creating and implementing processes to make work more efficient and effective. At Bigger Brains, we’re at the beginning of implementing standard process management, and it’s both challenging and exciting!
What’s your favorite line from a film?
I don’t like favorites. The first movie line that comes to mind is from Almost Famous, “Don’t worry. I’ve seen the future, and this all works out reasonably well.”
