Setup CEO, Joe Koufman, virtually sat down with Abby Lee, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications for RE/MAX. In the interview, Lee shares how her superpower as a listener has helped in her career, how essential it is to surround yourself with a smart and amicable team of people, and more.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW + READ THE RECAP BELOW

Q1 | Tell us about your role at RE/MAX.

As the SVP of Marketing and Communications for RE/MAX, Lee has a broad scope of responsibilities. She oversees all of the marketing in both The United States and Canada. She also leads teams in media buying, internal and external communications, and social media. Because of her impact and the opportunity, she expressed gratitude for her role and the people she works with at RE/MAX.

Q2 | What advice would you share?

"If you don't swing the bat, you're never going to hit a home run,” shared a boss earlier in Lee’s career. 

Lee thinks it is important to give yourself a seat at the table and to take risks. She continued, “So often, as a young person in the marketplace, you're scared to take risks and bring up ideas that your boss hasn't thought of…even if you think it is a really good idea. If you don't swing the bat and take that chance, you're going to be turned down and you're going to fail, but [when you take a chance] you're going to hit those home runs that just make all the difference in the world for both yourself personally and professionally.”

Q3 | What is your superpower?

“I'm a super good listener,” Lee shared. Her listening skills are so good that she has often heard that she should be a therapist. “I really do take the time to listen and to hear my team's ideas.” By valuing listening in her every day, she is able to hear some of the most innovative ideas.

Q4 | What values are important to you?

Lee naturally abides by rules so she appreciates when others around her do the same. Lee prides herself on having strong ethics and working for a company that values that. “One of our core values at RE/MAX is always do the right thing – that's a big thing to me, being honest and truthful, and that comes across also in our marketing.”

Q5| How do you mentor your team?

Lee’s team conducts group mentoring sessions. They prioritize meeting with employees at all different levels at RE/MAX where they brainstorm with a focus on allowing everyone to feel like they have a voice and a seat at the table. She explained that some of the best ideas have come from those meetings and it’s always insightful to hear other people's perspectives. 

For more marketing leadership advice, and a view into the mindset of marketing executives in various industries, be sure to watch the full interview with Abby Lee, and keep an eye out for more thought leadership from our CMO Spotlights.

Watch the full interview to the right.