"Work-life balance is definitely a buzzword these days, and it means different things to different people."
In this interview, we sit down with Christopher Justice, a seasoned executive and coach at CEO Coaching International, who has led organizations across diverse industries, from automotive and e-commerce to gaming and beyond. With over 20 years of experience, Chris has helmed business units ranging from $25 million to $700 million, proving his ability to scale operations and drive transformation in competitive landscapes.
As the former CEO of Global Payments Gaming, Chris navigated complex challenges to deliver significant returns, including the successful $415 million sale of the company to Parthenon. His deep expertise in technology, payments, and strategy has positioned him as a leader known for fostering innovation, streamlining operations, and championing customer-centric growth. A board member of the American Gaming Association, Chris also helps shape the future of gaming and fintech while mentoring high-performance teams and driving digital transformation.
Today, he shares his insights into leadership, work-life balance, and his passions, offering a fresh perspective on what it takes to succeed in today’s ever-evolving business world.
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Table of Contents
Chris, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start by discussing leadership. You’ve been a leader in the payments industry for quite some time. How do you approach building a culture that thrives in a fast-paced environment?
Chris Justice: Culture is essential to any organization, and it has to be deeply integrated into every aspect of the business, from the top down. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is that you can’t just impose a culture—it has to be something that evolves organically and is shaped by the people in the organization. It needs to be embedded in how we deliver results.
I’ve always appreciated honest feedback, even when it’s tough to hear. For example, if we bring in a focus group and sit behind the window, we might hear things that aren’t flattering. But that’s where the growth happens—through those uncomfortable moments. It’s important to rally the team around what needs fixing and then give those concerns the attention they deserve.
That’s a fantastic way to look at it. Honest conversations and taking those insights seriously are critical to growth. Shifting gears a bit, let’s talk about work-life balance. It’s something a lot of people struggle with, especially in leadership positions. How do you approach it?
Chris Justice: Work-life balance is definitely a buzzword these days, and it means different things to different people. For me, it’s about being fully present in whatever moment I’m in. When I’m working, I’m all in—I’m focused, and determined, and I give it my best. But when I shift to spending time with family or pursuing personal passions, like photography, I’m equally present. I leave work behind and dive fully into the moment.
It’s about quality over quantity for me. When I’m with someone—whether it’s at work or home—I make sure I’m fully engaged, not distracted by my phone or whatever else is going on. That’s my way of balancing things.
It seems like you’ve managed to intertwine work and life in a way that complements both. How do you stay energized when balancing it all?
Chris Justice: Honestly, I thrive on conversations and ideas. Even tough ones. Whether it’s a discussion at work that challenges me or a random moment of inspiration while I’m out with friends, I find it invigorating. Sometimes, I’ll be at a restaurant and see something inspiring, and I just can’t turn that off. I’ll start asking questions, and dig into what sparked my curiosity, and it can turn into a lively discussion at the table. For me, there’s no real separation between work and life. It all blends because I see them as part of living fully.
If you could go back and give advice to your 20-year-old self, what would you say?
Chris Justice: Oh, that’s a good one! I’d tell my younger self to keep trying new things and not be afraid to fail. Experiment, take risks, and don’t let the pursuit of perfection get in the way of progress. Life is all about discovering your passions, and you can only do that by trying different paths.
I also learned through my own experiences that you don’t always end up where you think you will. When I was in college, I never imagined I’d end up working in payments or even in the gaming industry at one point. I had no idea those jobs even existed. It’s only through exploration and being open to new opportunities that you can discover what truly excites you.
Great advice! It’s easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to have it all figured out early on. One story you shared with me really stuck out—your love for photography, especially sports photography. Could you tell us about that one time when being in the right place at the right time led to something remarkable?
Chris Justice: Ah, yes, the photography story! So a few years ago, I started taking photography more seriously, specifically in sports. I took several workshops with Peter Reed Miller, a legendary Sports Illustrated photographer, and eventually, my fraternity brother—who worked for Vanderbilt University—asked if I wanted to shoot a game for them. I’m a Tennessee graduate, but they hired me to shoot the Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt football game in Knoxville.
During that game, late in the fourth quarter, it looked like Vanderbilt was going to lose, and Tennessee was about to march down the field. All the other photographers packed up and moved to the other side of the field to capture Tennessee’s potential game-winning drive. But something told me to stay in the end zone.
As luck would have it, the refs reviewed the play and determined Vanderbilt actually got a first down. Suddenly, the ball was coming back toward my side of the field. Vanderbilt ran a quarterback sneak, and I got this perfect shot of the quarterback running into the end zone, securing Vanderbilt’s first win at that stadium in decades. The best part? I was the only photographer in the end zone. That picture ended up as a massive mural at Vanderbilt’s athletic facility and is still used in their promotions to this day.
One last question, Chris. We like to wrap up our interviews with a piece of wisdom. What are three tips you’d give to aspiring leaders out there?
Chris Justice: Sure! First, always be curious. Whether you’re new to a field or a seasoned veteran, there’s always something new to learn. Curiosity keeps you sharp and open to new ideas.
Second, show up. Consistency is key in any field. Just being there, day after day, with a strong work ethic can make a huge difference.
And finally, embrace failure. Not everything you do is going to be a success, but each failure is a learning experience. The faster you fail, the faster you learn. So, don’t be afraid to take risks.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Christopher Justice for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Christopher Justice or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
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