The top five lessons in leadership from a female CEO
- Written by Lucy Banks
Leadership isn’t about titles or hierarchy. It’s about people. It’s about creating an environment where your team feels supported, aligned with your vision and a place where they have to contribute and grow. From building Australia’s first PR agency for Onlyfans content creators to mentoring a team of brilliant individuals, I’ve learned that the most important kind of leadership is human, rebellious and values-driven.
I have learned a lot throughout my career and have faced several set-backs. That never stopped me from achieving. As a woman in business I am proud to champion and support other women in business and encourage women that are interested in starting a business to give it a go. I started MBM to empower content creators by offering media representation, personal branding strategies, and career mentorship. The agency has helped multiple clients secure mainstream media coverage and brand partnerships. This business has taught me so much and I have many key learnings along the way.
Here are my biggest five lessons in leadership below.
- Push Boundaries, Break Rules (But know why you are doing it)
Playing it safe never changed the world. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have come from going against the grain. Saying yes when others said no, building a business in a space that the mainstream media still doesn’t understand and giving women permission to show up exactly as they are. Leadership means questioning the status quo and having the guts to create your own version of success.
- Be a coach, not a boss
Your team doesn’t need a dictator. They need a mentor. Someone who sees their potential, helps them grow and celebrates their wins. I don’t believe in barking orders or micromanaging. I believe in listening, guiding and creating space for my team to lead in their own right. If you have good team members, nurture them and watch how their careers will excel.
- Lead with kindness, always
It’s easy to make ruthless decisions in business. I have always chosen to be a good person first, even when that is the harder option. I’ve said no to good opportunities that didn’t align with my values, and I’ve put people before profit time and time again, and it has always paid off. Integrity builds trust and trust is the foundation of success in any business.
- Stay grounded, stay human
Leadership doesn’t mean being untouchable. I’ve build a brand by being radically honest, vulnerable and real. I talk about the tough stuff that not many people are willing to discuss. The mistakes, the burnouts, the imposter syndrome because I want people to know they are not alone. When you lead with a grounded and human approach , you create connections. Connections are everything. Not just in business, but also in leadership.
- Vision Matters, but so does action
It’s not enough to have a big idea. You need to back it up with relentless action. I’ve built businesses from scratch, not because I had a perfect plan but because I took one brave step after another. Leadership is about momentum. More forward, even if its messy. Progress always beats perfection.
To sum up, leadership isn’t one size-fits-all. It’s personal, and for me it's always been about leading with the heart, backing myself and making space for others to do the same and thrive.
About Lucy Banks
Lucy Banks is a Perth-based mother of three who has made a remarkable transition from corporate banking to becoming a millionaire on Onlyfans. Now the CEO of Million Billion Media (Australia’s first adult-industry-friendly PR and talent management agency) she has built a wealth story based on strategic content creation, financial acumen and entrepreneurship.
About Million Billion Media
Million Billion Media (MBM) is Australia’s first dedicated PR and talent management agency designed for content creators. Founded by media personality Lucy Banks, MBM exists to help creators with the unique challenges they face, because our founder has experienced these challenges first-hand.
The agency wades through the digital red tape that exists in the industry to act on behalf of their clients, focusing on building their personal brand, creating a tailored marketing strategy and offering clients 360 degrees of exposure. With a focus on supporting women in the adult industry free of stigma, MBM is the first of its kind.
