The Communications Group’s leaders have decades of experience leading the agency and its staff. Read about lessons learned and leadership advice from President and Agency Founder Dan Cowling III, Agency Founder Dane Cowling, Director of Client Services & Executive Vice President Lisa Van Hook and Director of Finance & Vice President Johnice Hopson.
What major lessons have you learned while in a leadership position?
Dan Cowling III: “If everyone in the room agrees, you’ve got the wrong people. Diversity of abilities and opinions leads to the best ideas and results. You don’t have all the good ideas. You’re going to make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up when you do. Learn from it and move on.”
Dane Cowling: “Surround yourself with wise people who do not care who gets the credit for an idea or successful project.”
Lisa Van Hook: “I have a quote printed out from Rear Admiral Grace Hopper that guides a lot of my leadership philosophy – ‘Leadership is a two-way street, loyalty up and loyalty down. Respect for one’s superiors; care for one’s crew.’”
Johnice Hopson: “The most important lesson learned by the example of good leaders is that kindness, empathy and respect are the true marks of a good leader.”
What advice would you give to other leaders?
Dan Cowling III: “Stay the course. Stand strong in your convictions, but listen to the people you work with. Business is a full-contact sport that takes all the endurance you can muster – and great teammates.”
Dane Cowling: “A strong, wise team can accomplish much more than a single-minded person who thinks their way is the only way.”
Lisa Van Hook: “Communicate authentically. Listen to understand. Be a solution seeker. Make sure your team knows they are valued.”
Johnice Hopson: “Sincerity & politeness goes a long way, and while someone has to be in charge, no one has to be mean about it.”
What is something you think goes unnoticed/others don’t recognize when holding a position like yours?
Dan Cowling III: “A leader’s single most important customers are his employees.”
Dane Cowling: “How stressful it can be when you either have the wrong people in the wrong position or you have a customer whose goals and values don’t play well with others.”
Lisa Van Hook: “It’s OK to have fun.”
Johnice Hopson: “You can’t do it without a sense of responsibility not only to the company but to all employees, clients and vendors.”
Any extra advice you would like to add?
Dan Cowling III: “Persevere, persevere, persevere.”
Dane Cowling: “Every team has to have a leader, but every leader needs to understand they can’t accomplish nearly as much when they don’t recognize the contributions their teammates make everyone successful.”
ComGroup’s leaders always imagined themselves in leadership positions before taking on their current roles. Each have diverse fields of knowledge and strive to continue producing an ethical and successful business that looks after its employees and delivers only the best to its clients.
To find out more about the ComGroup team and how they can best serve you, click here.
