As a real estate principal and leader, I get invited to speak at industry conferences around the country.
It’s one of my favourite things to do as a leader, as I can share what I’m learning in real-time with my industry colleagues. I’m not removed from the business and just doing keynotes.
In April, I flew to Sydney to speak at the REINSW Wire Conference. Given it was an exclusive event, I wanted to share some of the key takeaways from my talk.
My keynote centred on some key concepts I covered in my book and they all connect to each other:
- You are not your circumstances
- Life is happening for you not to you
- The standard you walk past is the standard you accept
- Better before bigger
The main takeaway of my talk was this: Focus on your internal state, not the external conditions.
If you’ve followed my journey for some time, you know I took over the family business at 30, when my parents passed away suddenly. I inherited a business that was millions in debt and on the brink of collapse.
I made it through those years, thinking I’d passed the test, and the worst was behind me. What I didn’t understand at the time was that there was no test or finish line.
The messy middle never ends. That’s not a problem. This is just what leadership and business is.
There are always going to be issues to overcome, because that’s business. And life.
A lot of the work is internal. If you shift your perspective, you can solve a ‘problem.’
The same goes for the way you lead your team. Your people require systems, structure and safety. When you have standards in place and uphold them, you’re showing them respect. It doesn’t mean you’re being harsh. This is a fallacy and a limiting belief.
The people performing to the standard are demoralised when you walk past someone who isn't.
It’s also important to check-in with yourself regularly and have an honest look at the business you’re building. I want a business that gives me freedom to lead and coach, to be there for my kids, and travel with my wife.
To build something I’m proud of and still be present for the people I’m doing it for. We live in a world that tells you if you’re not growing, you’re regressing. But growth for growth’s sake is just accelerating towards an unknown direction.
Put this on a sticky note: Better before bigger.
In every decision, first ponder on what you can do better, before you chase another number or target. I promise it’ll make you a better leader.
The playbook isn’t really a playbook.
- Reframe your circumstances – life is happening for you, not to you
- Hold the standard – your silence is a decision
- Choose better before bigger – know what success actually looks like for you
None of those require a perfect market or superstar salespeople. It just calls for a conscious leader and a love for the journey.
If this resonates with you, you might be interested in this.