This week on Own It we’re talking to Courtney Lewis from The Variable. She just stepped into the role of partner and CEO there two months ago after being on the strategy and leadership team for several years.
Courtney didn’t land at The Variable from the agency world. She was in business and management consulting before and brought that experience and knowledge to the firm.
We talked about everything from her journey to agency life and ownership, to her perspective on the gender gap in agency ownership, and even biscuits and baking. We had so much fun getting to know one another. You’re going to enjoy this a lot.
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Courtney Lewis emphasizes that valuable leadership qualities and mentorship are not confined to professional settings but can be found in various aspects of one's life, including personal relationships and childhood experiences.
Drawing from a childhood lesson from her grandmother, Courtney highlights the importance of not rewarding poor performance or behavior, a principle she applies to the professional environment to maintain standards and avoid complacency.
Courtney shares how embracing new opportunities, even those she felt unqualified for, such as working in M&A, led to significant learning and transformative experiences that propelled her career forward.
In leadership, especially during difficult decisions like layoffs or letting clients go, consistently upholding and demonstrating core values fosters predictability and trust within the team, allowing the leader to sleep well at night and build a more stable environment.
Success should be defined broadly, encompassing various aspects like stronger client relationships, innovative work, team growth, employee retention, and the ability to foster an environment where individuals can thrive and pursue their best opportunities, even if it's outside the current organization.
