Thoughts on Leadership: From Denver to New York City

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels found me first in Denver for the launch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Innovative Real Estate. The brokerage, led by Brokers/Owners Scott Nordby and Lora Nordby—two fantastic leaders in the real estate industry—operates four offices with more than 160 agents. It also consistently dominates the Denver market in key production categories and stands among the Top 10 brokerages in the competitive Denver metro area. When I say I’m proud and honored this fantastic team joined the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices family, I really mean it.

While attending the event, I ran into my good friend and author, Larry Kendall, who just so happened to be speaking at the launch. I’ve long been a proponent of Larry’s Ninja Selling techniques, which are brutally effective ways to increase production and create sustained improvement based on strong relationship-building skills.  It was a happy coincidence to see Larry in Colorado and watch him deliver a keynote that energized and invigorated the already-motivated crowd.

Speaking of motivation, I received a dose of my own as I flew from the Rocky Mountains to the Top of the Rock (or close enough, anyway) to meet with leaders from our brand-new NYC-based affiliate, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York Properties. It’s been a long-awaited homecoming to see our brand amidst the skyscrapers of New York but it’s a city that couldn’t be a better fit.

“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing,” said Ellie Johnson, president of New York Properties, who says since the company launched Jan. 9, the referrals have been coming in non-stop. “It’s not just potential buyers who are calling me,” she explained. “These are solid clients who want to sell their property and use our team to help.”

Candace Adams, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New York Properties, New England Properties and Westchester Properties, affirmed the enthusiasm. “We’re excited about every day because every day we are growing.”

I was standing at the company’s impressive Madison Avenue office space, a breathtaking locale with panoramic views of the East

River stretching across floor-to-ceiling windows.  But it’s not just the quintessential Manhattan scenery that makes New York Properties such an extraordinary member of  the network; it’s also a powerful leadership team in Candace and Ellie that I have no doubt will drive the brokerage to even greater and greater success. Both seasoned and experienced industry veterans, Candace and Ellie are passionate leaders who believe in developing a strategic plan, executing on that plan and keeping a strong focus on the core values that will forever make their company great.

So, what’s the message? Leadership drives growth and it’s up to leaders to deliver on the particular values that make their company unlike any other.  At Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, those values are trust, integrity, stability and longevity, and each in turn gives agents and clients a sense of comfort in the strength of the services we offer and value we bring. As Ellie told me today from her spectacular new office on Madison Ave., “We might be new to New York City but the brand and what it represents is timeless.”

GINO BLEFARI is CEO of HSF Affiliates LLC. You can follow Gino on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.