Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Lewis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Chris. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started out as a journalist working night shifts to cover news desks. From there I got to know all of the major titles around the world and I found that if I was to stay up all night, I could offer stories to newspapers and magazines all over the world. By the time I stopped being a journalist I’d worked for national newspapers and broadcast organizations. It was so much fun. I switched working for editors to advising clients. I still write though and in the last two years have written two international best sellers, Too Fast To Think on creativity and The Leadership Lab, the book I co-authored with Presidential Advisor Pippa Malmgren. They’ve both been translated into many languages. I have two more coming out later this year: Greater – The British Idea in June and The Infinite Leader – Balancing the demands of modern leadership in September.
Who are five local entrepreneurs, professionals or creatives that you know and admire?
It’s all about attitude. First is a colleague, Irena Boostani. In 25 years of leadership, I’ve never seen a better all-around leader. This year she came in on her day off with her daughters to serve 50 people Thanksgiving dinner. She lives for the team. Secondly, I admire Scott Peters, my Congressman. He has been unfailingly kind and helpful. He’s a Democrat that really understands business. I also admire Patrick Frias and everyone at Rady Children’s Hospital. They love their work and it shows. The final two, you might find strange. Gerald Walker and Pete Saldana who run the front desk and car park at our office, 530 B Street downtown. They’re both cheerful, upbeat, witty, helpful and versatile, and will always find time to say hi. This shows that no matter what your level we can all have a leadership attitude. Finally, I admire a retired businessman and lecturer at San Diego State, Peter Shaw. I’ve known him for twenty years. He’s garrulous, intelligent and has fundamentally good common sense. He will always challenge orthodox thinking.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been nothing compared to what some people experience but we moved to San Diego originally to look after my sick daughter at Rady Children’s Hospital. Some people have lost their kids to the same disease, but Rady has been outstanding. It’s another world class institution in San Diego. The professionalism and skill of the doctors there is second to none. I also admire my daughters and wife Jo, for fighting through every surgical procedure. Being British originally is also a problem. Nobody can ever understand what I’m saying.
Tell us more about the business.
LEWIS helps companies grow. We do that through excellent creativity and marketing. We’re in 30 offices around the world with 500 staff. We’re independent and invest our profits back into growth. We just try that much harder to understand and come up with better ideas. We’ve been lucky to find some great clients and ever greater colleagues.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
It’s really cumulative I think. I’m proud that LEWIS has grown at an average rate in excess of 25% for 25 years, despite my involvement! I don’t really know how to do anything else. I’m never going to the best chef, motorcyclist, pilot or sailor.
Contact Info:
- Address: 530 B. Street 19th Floor
- Website: https://www.teamlewis.com
- Phone: (619) 308-5200
- Email: hello@teamlewis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamlewisglobal
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamlewisglobal/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/teamlewisglobal
Image Credit:
LEWIS Global Communications
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