The query isn’t “Are you a leader?” It’s “What type of leader are you?” CEO Justin Bailey writes on this examination of his management journey.
Whether or not it’s refining your corporation mannequin, mastering new applied sciences, or discovering methods to capitalize on the subsequent market surge, Inman Join New York will put together you to take daring steps ahead. The Subsequent Chapter is about to start. Be a part of it. Be a part of us and hundreds of actual property leaders Jan. 22-24, 2025.
Management is a journey that usually revolves round one basic precept: serving to others uncover and embrace their genuine selves.
In actual property, particularly, this may be difficult. We see others’ success, and we’re influenced to imitate their seven-step program. As leaders, our objective isn’t to mildew these we lead into us-shaped collectible figurines however fairly to information them in discovering their very own id.
This technique of self-discovery goes past merely producing extra good leaders; it’s about cultivating individuality and private development.
Belief me, I’ve stumbled extra occasions than I’ve succeeded on this, and listed below are three issues I’ve discovered alongside the way in which.
Evolve into a pacesetter
My management evolution has been as a lot about studying who I’m because it has been about recognizing who I’m not. A lot of this got here from failed makes an attempt to mimic leaders I admired.
Once more, it’s simple to get caught up on this in actual property. “Maybe if I act like them, my career will take off.”
Don’t get me unsuitable — there’s immense worth in studying from sturdy leaders round you. We should always completely undertake their priceless insights, soak up their knowledge and allow them to assist us easy out our tough edges. However there’s a major distinction between studying from somebody and attempting to develop into them.
Rising up, my mother and father have been avid hosts. My job was to greet the visitors on the door. As a seven-year-old, I beloved it, and I grew to become fairly the little doorman. After welcoming individuals, I’d observe their outfits to see if I had one thing comparable in my wardrobe.
Practically each time we had firm, I’d sneak away to my room, discover garments that matched the visitor’s apparel — whether or not it was cowboy boots or a jacket — and alter into them. Then I’d come again down and watch for the inevitable remark, “Well, isn’t that cute — you two look just alike.” It was at all times a crowd-pleaser.
My mother and father nonetheless snigger about this story. I’m wondering, although, if I’m not nonetheless doing one thing comparable in my 40s — conforming to who I believe I needs to be with the intention to discover admiration. To be able to be accepted. To be able to survive.
The query then turns into, what “disguise” are we carrying as a result of we imagine being ourselves isn’t sufficient?
Don’t be just like the others
I’m removed from the stereotypical CEO. I dislike analyzing funds and knowledge. I wouldn’t say I like math. And I discover economics to be wildly boring. These items are usually not my forte. I’ll tinker with it when I’ve to, however I merely don’t take pleasure in that facet of the enterprise. Imagine it or not, it took me 42 years to say that aloud.
The work that adopted wasn’t a lot about refining my skilled abilities because it was about shedding the id I assumed I wanted to uphold. Generally, step one in changing into an efficient chief is acknowledging what you’re not.
By way of loads of remedy and exhausting private work, I got here to comprehend that I’m a storyteller, a cheerleader, a neighborhood builder and an untangler of knots. I thrive on serving to individuals untangle tough conditions. I’m at my greatest once I’m celebrating others’ successes. And I discover pleasure in bringing individuals collectively to attain a standard objective that fosters a way of belonging.
Had I spent my life pretending to be an “economist,” I’d have missed out on all of this.
Lead with service
As leaders, whether or not we’re managing, directing or guiding, our position is to assist individuals dismantle the notion that they aren’t enough as they’re. Our job then turns into extra about serving to them know the distinction between their true self and their false self, even when their false self is the model that we discover extra palatable — even when their true self is tougher to work with.
That is when narcissism creeps into management. When individuals really feel the specter of conforming to outlive of their ethos, altering this begins with merely listening and observing others. It comes from the age-old knowledge of “In humility, I consider others above myself.”
The best managers I’ve encountered spent extra time targeted on attending to know me than they did on instructing me tips on how to develop into a miniature model of them. Generally this implies attending to know the brokers in your group on a deeper degree.
For brokers, this generally means merely sitting again and observing how an agent handles completely different conditions. Altering individuals is tough work; listening and observing what brings them alive shouldn’t be.
On some degree, everyone seems to be a pacesetter. You’ve been charged with the duty of fostering somebody’s development and success. Management is a sacred accountability and needs to be dealt with as such.
The burden of main nicely will get a lot lighter if you let go of the stress to alter individuals. Being an excellent chief shouldn’t be reproducing your self in one other individual. Being an excellent chief helps that individual develop into the most effective model of themselves.
Justin Bailey is the CEO of Realty Executives Associates, the biggest actual property brokerage in East Tennessee. Join with Justin on Instagram and Linkedin.
