Employee Spotlight, Corey James

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Employee Spotlight Corey James

Corey James is a Master Trainer, award-winning public speaker, and Learning and Development Program Manager at the Lewis Group of Companies. He is passionate about cultivating an engaging experience for all that he serves while also aligning with current organizational objectives and innovating with new ideas for the future of the Lewis Group of Companies.

His favorite quote is by Walt Disney, “Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it, they will want to come back and see you do it again, and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do,” and it has become his mission to do just that.

What do you do at Lewis, and what does a typical day look like?

Corey: As the Program Manager of Learning and Development, my role involves training and facilitating sessions such as New Employee Orientation, Service Excellence, Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue, and Advanced Service Excellence. I also engage in strategic planning and project management and ensure our projects are executed effectively through consultative partnerships with internal stakeholders. Essentially, I wear many hats related to supporting our employees in their career development.

A typical day for me includes answering inquiries about learning plans, managing our LinkedIn Learning platform, coaching employees on career strategy, facilitating training sessions (ranging from half to full days depending on the course), and ensuring HR Leadership training sessions are scheduled, conference rooms are booked, and that they’re marketed effectively to the organization.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Corey: My favorite part of my job is witnessing the “ah-ha” moment when someone realizes they’re in the driver’s seat of their career development. This realization often inspires them to become more proactive and disciplined in pursuing their goals. Sometimes, it’s a new employee with a long list of questions who takes extensive notes throughout the session. Other times, it’s a long-tenured employee ready to break new ground—whether by upskilling for a promotion or meeting the latest industry standards. Either way, when they ask more questions and request additional resources, it validates my work and makes it feel impactful.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Corey: My favorite part of my job is witnessing the “ah-ha” moment when someone realizes they’re in the driver’s seat of their career development. This realization often inspires them to become more proactive and disciplined in pursuing their goals. Sometimes, it’s a new employee with a long list of questions who takes extensive notes throughout the session. Other times, it’s a long-tenured employee ready to break new ground—whether by upskilling for a promotion or meeting the latest industry standards. Either way, when they ask more questions and request additional resources, it validates my work and makes it feel impactful.

What has your career path looked like?

Corey: I call my career path “calculated chaos” because while it all made sense in the end, it probably seemed chaotic from the outside looking in. I’m a classically trained chef from Fort Worth, Texas. Early in my culinary career (over a decade ago), I was recruited into property management as a Leasing Consultant. After my family relocated from Texas to Southern California in 2019, I joined Lewis in 2021. I began as an Assistant Community Director, then transitioned to Leasing Manager, followed by L&D Specialist, and now serve as the Learning and Development Program Manager.

That’s the short version! It’s been an eventful few years, to say the least. The lesson: Success is never a straight line—so don’t lose momentum!

How do you stay busy outside of the office?

Corey: First, I’m a husband and father to three amazing boys who keep me busy—and have surely accelerated the growth of my gray hairs! I’m also a public speaker, life coach, and mentor to young men. Outside of those roles, I enjoy bowling, hiking, cooking, reading, and learning new things.

Additionally, I’m a Spartan athlete, so I often train in one way or another! (Aroo! Aroo! Aroo!)

How do you stay motivated?

Corey: I prefer inspiration over motivation. I like to journal, meditate, and get 30 minutes of daily exercise to stay inspired. I also have multiple accountability partners who help keep me grounded and focused.

I aim to keep a major project or goal in mind every 60–90 days, whether personal or professional. I’m at my best when working toward something bigger than myself.

How do you stay motivated?

Corey: I prefer inspiration over motivation. I like to journal, meditate, and get 30 minutes of daily exercise to stay inspired. I also have multiple accountability partners who help keep me grounded and focused.

I aim to keep a major project or goal in mind every 60–90 days, whether personal or professional. I’m at my best when working toward something bigger than myself.

What motivates you to give your best at work every day?

Corey: Many years ago, I realized the most significant obstacles I faced in life stemmed from my mindset. I committed to working on myself daily and embracing lifelong learning. This new outlook was anchored in a growth mindset and a mission to build discipline through self-imposed challenges (like bowling and Spartan races).

These days, I also ask myself three important questions each day:

  1. Am I at my best?
  2. How can I be at my best?
  3. What am I meant to learn from this experience?

Reach out to corey.james@lewismc.com if you have any questions,
can resonate with his journey or want to share any comments about your own growth journey.