Thoughts on Leadership: Happy Real Estate New Year!

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me starting Monday in my home office, conducting WIG calls with our CEOs. On Tuesday, I joined the early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy call, then hopped on a flight to Houston, Texas. On Tuesday night, I co-hosted two receptions with HomeServices of America’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Teresa Palacios Smith for The Alliance LGBTQ+ Real Estate Alliance & Housing Industry Conference; then on Wednesday morning, I delivered a keynote, “Unlocking Triumph: Surpassing Limits Against All Odds” to an absolutely electric and appreciative crowd. From Houston, I traveled to Miami, Florida to attend the annual National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® (NAHREP) conference, NAHREP at L’ATTITUDE, where upon arrival, I joined the welcome reception trade show. My suitcase did not show up, so I was thinking I’d have to be in sweats, tennis shoes and sneakers for the reception but luckily, Hector Sepulveda from Long and Foster stopped by the booth. You’ve heard of giving someone the shirt off your back? Well, he gave me the jacket off his back! I felt very Miami Vice in the new, borrowed outfit. (Pictured below.) Also, at NAHREP, I co-hosted one evening reception and had a chance to connect with NAHREP members from around the world. Of course, I took some time in between meetings and sessions to write this post to you.

First things first: HAPPY NEW YEAR!

You might be thinking, “Gino, what? Happy New Year now?”

Yep! I’m commemorating the new year a few months early because the real estate new year begins Sunday, October 1. In a fantastic, new YouTube video, Joe Stacy, executive vice president, general growth manager and designated managing broker at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago reiterated this statement, explaining: “What you do in the last three months of this year is going to have a direct impact on what you get done in your business in 2024.”

Here’s the gist: Your new year is about to start because when October 1 rolls around, it’ll signify the end of the third quarter and the start of the final 90 days of the year. Why is this so significant to us as a starting point for the new year? Because in real estate, we operate on a 90-day cycle. All the prospecting, lead generation, planning and marketing we do now is going to pay off three months from now. It’s why our new year doesn’t start when the clock strikes midnight and January 1 arrives. Our new year begins Sunday.

There’s something else to keep in mind as we ring in the Real Estate New Year: This is when your 2023 business planning must begin. (You can download the Business Planning Essentials here.)

Having a solid business plan will keep you from the dreaded Q1 slump. Each year, when Q4 – and the holidays – roll around, with all its sugar cookies and holiday-party reverie, people tend to get off schedule. But if you skip ahead 90 days from the holiday-themed celebrations, you’ll get to Q1, which is exactly where most real estate agents see the lag from a slower holiday season.

During my 30+ years in real estate – as an agent, manager, and owner of a company – I’ve found there’s typically a cash flow problem in January and February. This applies to agents as much as it applies to brokerage owners.

A business plan allows you to plan for what’s ahead and avoid that problem. It ensures the busy holiday season won’t stop your momentum in 2024. And considering October 1 as the start of the new year instills a hearty level of discipline into your business operations, so you kick off the (real) new year strong.

It reminds me a lot of football, and specifically Mike McDaniel, head coach of the Miami Dolphins, the team that defeated the Denver Broncos 70-20 on Sunday in their home opener, recording the second most points by a team in a regular season game in NFL history.

A performance like that doesn’t happen by accident. McDaniel’s leadership is the perfect example of what you can achieve when you’re focused, disciplined, and prepared earlier than anyone else. I’ve briefly mentioned this story before, however I want to go into more detail now, as it applies to preparation and planning: McDaniel’s October 1 New Year is 3 a.m. every day, the time when he arrives at the office. His 3 a.m. workday routine began in 2008, when as a 25-year-old Houston Texans assistant head coach under then head coach Gary Kubiak, McDaniel messed up. Kubiak would call his assistant head coach’s office phone at 6 a.m. on the dot each morning and two times, McDaniel didn’t pick up. Because he was late those two times, Kubiak fired McDaniel. The head coach thought McDaniel had to learn a life lesson, and as McDaniel explained in an ESPN special: “In my mind, I was late twice. What he was telling me is that you do whatever it takes to get things done.”

It would take a few years before McDaniel finally understood the message. After exactly 865 days out of the NFL, McDaniel returned to coaching and vowed he’d never, ever be late to the office again. He would instill a sense of unrelenting discipline into his life and never have to risk losing his dream job – or his dreams. Cut to Sunday night and McDaniel’s team is breaking records, and he’s still leaving his house at 2:24 a.m. to arrive at the stadium in Miami Gardens at exactly 2:51 a.m., settling into his desk just before 3 a.m. There’s another number he keeps on his desk: 2:46, which is the exact time Dolphins owner Mr. Stephen Ross called McDaniel and told him he was head coach. The two numbers displayed in McDaniel’s office, 865 and 2:46, represent opportunity lost and gained.

So, what’s the message? Like McDaniel, it’s discipline that will help us grow. It’s the reminder that if we just do things earlier than everyone else, if we celebrate our new year in October, if we plan for 2024 now, if we fully prepare for what’s ahead, then nothing is impossible, and everything is within our reach.

Posted by HomeServices of America

Thoughts on Leadership: Leadership Lessons from Coach Prime

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me working from home, completing my usual WIG calls with our CEOs and attending various business meetings. On Tuesday, I attended the monthly virtual leadership meeting, and on Wednesday, I had my early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy call followed by breakfast with Ronnie Lott and The Golden Heart Fund, then stopped in to see Tom Ferry, who interviewed me onstage at the Tom Ferry Roadmap 23 tour. Today, I sat down between meetings to write this post to you as I prepare to attend the 49ers vs. Giants home game with Chris Sears and many other friends later tonight. Go Niners!

Excitement for the game – and chatting with Tom Ferry – has me thinking about leadership, football and coaching, which was already on my mind as I watched the latest “60 Minutes” episode featuring Deion Sanders, or “Coach Prime,” a former NFL player-turned- college-football coach. He won Super Bowl XXIX with the 49ers then Super Bowl XXX with the Dallas Cowboys, and played professional baseball during his epic athletic career. He’s typically known as a cornerback; however it must be noted that he sometimes came in on offense and played receiver.

And if you’ve been following the sports news lately, it’s hard not to come across an attention-catching headline about Deion Sanders’ near-legendary turnaround of the Colorado Buffaloes.

The story begins in December 2022, when it was announced Sanders would leave his position as head coach of the Jackson State University Tigers to become the new head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. Sanders had his work cut out for him. I Colorado Buffaloes are in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (previously known as Division I-A), the highest level of college football in the U.S., but at the time, they were infamously flailing. They’d just come off a disappointing 1-11 season, and it was now Coach Prime’s job to turn things around.

In a recent memo to his team, ReeceNichols Real Estate SVP of Brokerage Chad Dumas talked about Sanders’ leadership, writing: “There are so many things he has done and said in the last couple of years that I think we can learn from as leaders, but I want to hone in on what I believe is a masterclass on recruiting and attraction.”

At the first Buffaloes team meeting in December, Sanders didn’t mince words, encouraging players to enter the transfer portal and find other schools at which they could play. “I came to the conclusion that a multitude of [the players] couldn’t help us get to where we wanted to go,” he said during the “60 Minutes” interview.

Immediately, 41 scholarship players transferred out and when the 2023 season began, Sanders had just 20 of the 83 scholarship players from the 2022 season still on his roster. Yet he was able to replace them in a few short months with new talent. In fact, in Colorado’s opening game against the TCU Horned Frogs (a team that played in last year’s national championship), the Buffaloes defeated the Horned Frogs 45-42 in a dramatic and much-talked-about double-overtime victory.

How was he able to recruit top players so quickly?

Sanders’ mantra is “I ain’t hard to find,” and it’s a testament not only to his visibility in the media and accessibility to his team (he’s been on “60 Minutes,” ESPN, and conducted a host of other high-profile interviews) but also to his candor and honesty during those interviews. Coach Prime says it like it is – the good, the bad and all the confidence you’ll find in between. As Chad said in his memo: “There’s never been a time where [being visible] is easier to do than now, but it takes discipline and a plan and a belief in yourself that when you are easier to find and putting yourself out there more, people will be attracted to you.”

Of course, being transparent and visible requires a high level of self-belief, which naturally plays into Coach Prime’s tough-love coaching philosophy. “If you went for that, if you were able to let words run you off, you ain’t for us,” Sanders said of his now-famous speech to the Buffalo players about finding another school. “We’re an old-school staff. We coach hard. We coach tough. We’re disciplinarians. If you’re allowing verbiage to run you off because you don’t feel secure with your ability, you ain’t for us.”

And for those players who heard his words and wanted to remain on the team? “Stay,” Coach Prime said. “Prove it.”

Sanders’ tough-love mentality extends to his kids, including Shedeur Sanders, quarterback of the Buffaloes and Shilo Sanders, Colorado’s starting safety. Coach Prime said if his kids called him up and said their coach told them to get in the transfer portal, he’d tell them they must not be playing as well as they should. “You should be an asset and not a liability,” Sanders explained.

As an example of Sanders’ unwavering confidence,after “60 Minutes” asked him about the best coach in college football today, he replied: “Let me see a mirror.” He did go on to clarify how much he admires University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, and how just sitting in his presence is a gift and a reminder to be a perpetual student of his craft. “He’s forgotten more things than I may ever accomplish, so I am a student looking up to this wonderful teacher saying, ‘Just throw me a crumb of what you know.’”

So, what’s the message? Coach Prime says being a coach means you have to understand that what your team wants from you is a leader who will be honest, fair, tough, disciplined, supportive, visible and there for them, always. “I ain’t hard to find,” he says, and every player on his now 3-0 Colorado Buffaloes team knows it’s true.

Posted by HomeServices of America

Thoughts on Leadership: Leadership Lessons from the NFL

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me on the Big Island of Hawai’i, attending the 2023 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Summit Conference. It’s been an incredible few days of learning and growth, and the perfect place to kick off the official start of the football season.

Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time studying the connection between sports and leadership, and specifically football and leadership, drawing inspiration from sports icons like my buddies Dwight “The Catch” Clark, Ronnie Lott, Steve Mariucci, Brent Jones, and Johnnie Johnson, Allan Dalton and Jimmy Burgess, along with Eddie DeBartolo, Bill Walsh, Joe Montana and Tom Brady.

During Summit, I met Jimmy Burgess, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Beach Properties of Florida, (who I mistakenly referred to as Jimmy Buffett during my Tuesday morning Summit talk) every morning at 5 a.m. at the hotel pool, where we’d spend an hour treading water and talking about leadership. During one of these workouts, Jimmy told me: “Gino, leaders are just like coaches, because the best leaders bring out the best in their teams.”

That got me thinking about leadership lessons we could learn from football. The NFL is more than just a powerhouse athletic competition. It’s a complex institution that showcases teamwork, strategy, and leadership both on and off the field. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or interested in the dynamics of effective leadership, the NFL offers a multitude of lessons for us all. Let’s dive into these insights.

The Importance of Teamwork: Football is a team sport where individual brilliance can shine, but victories are achieved collectively. Leadership isn’t a solo endeavor; it requires collaboration and relies on the strengths of each team member to win a game and a championship.
Adaptability and Change: In the NFL, game plans can change on the fly, and coaches must adapt to the opposing team’s strategies as they adjust. Similarly, leaders must be prepared to adjust their strategies when circumstances change. Think of the halftime adjustments the best coaches make to change the outcome of the game.
Preparation and Planning: From hours of film review to grueling practice sessions and NFL training camp, success on game day is a result of the exhaustive preparations that happen behind the scenes. Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel famously leaves his house at 2:24 a.m. for work every day, getting to the office a little before 3 a.m. It’s a habit acquired after working under former Houston Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak, who called McDaniel twice at 6 a.m. without an answer. (McDaniel was later fired from the job specifically for being late twice). The experience taught McDaniel a harsh lesson about priorities, preparation, and planning. “You’re chasing the best version of yourself,” he told ESPN when describing his early-morning commute. “This part of the day is so unique because everything is in front of you.” Being prepared can make the difference between success and failure.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Setbacks, like injuries or game losses, are part of the NFL. Just look at the awful, season-ending injury of New York Jets Quarterback Aaron Rodgers after just four snaps into his first game with the team. However, teams regroup and adjust and return with renewed vigor. Leaders, too, will face setbacks but must demonstrate resilience and perseverance.
Continuous Learning: The best NFL coaches and players are always studying, learning, and refining their techniques. Tom Brady’s former teammate, Tight End Rob Gronkowski, estimated that Brady watched 40 hours of film each week. Bill Walsh talked about his return to coaching college football when he’d get five hours of sleep on a couch in his office. Leadership requires a commitment to perpetual improvement. It’s about lifelong learning and a willingness to adapt based on new knowledge you acquire every day.
Effective Communication: Clear communication between coaches, players, and staff is vital for successful plays and overall team dynamics. Similarly, effective leadership requires transparent and open communication.
Accountability: Players and coaches must take responsibility for their actions on and off the field. Great leaders hold themselves and their teams accountable, recognizing that fosters trust and integrity.
Diversity and Inclusion: The NFL comprises players from diverse backgrounds, and the synergy of this diversity can be a driving force behind a team’s success. In leadership, promoting diversity and inclusion can lead to innovative solutions and a broader perspective.
An Example for Others to Follow: Captains and veteran players often set the tone for the team’s work ethic and values. As a leader, embodying the values and work ethic you wish to see in your team is crucial.
Work-Life Balance: While the NFL demands rigorous training, players also understand the importance of recovery and personal time. Leaders should recognize the importance of balance for sustained performance and mental well-being.
Long-Term Vision: The best teams in the NFL don’t just plan for the current season but also have a vision for the future. Similarly, effective leaders set short-term goals with a long-term vision in mind.

So, what’s the message? The thrills of the NFL aren’t limited to spectacular touchdowns or nail-biting finishes. They extend into the realm of leadership, strategy, and team dynamics. The league, with its diverse set of challenges and successes, offers a playbook of leadership lessons that can be applied far beyond the football field. Whether you’re leading a corporate team, a community initiative, or any other endeavor, tapping into these insights can pave the way for both individual and collective success.

Posted by HomeServices of America

Thoughts on Leadership: Leadership Lessons from Jimmy Buffett

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me starting Tuesday with an early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy call, then traveling to Washington, D.C. for RISMedia’s CEO & Leadership Exchange 2023. On Wednesday, I delivered a presentation for the CEO & Leadership Exchange crowd and today, I’m traveling home to prepare for my flight to Hawai’i to attend the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Summit Conference. Of course, while looking out my airplane window, I also spent some time writing this post to you.

Last Friday when I was getting my hair cut, I sat in the chair and asked my stylist: “Hey, would you mind if I play a Jimmy Buffett song right now?”

I explained that I always think of Jimmy Buffett on the Friday before Labor Day because of the song “Come Monday” and its opening line: “I was heading up to San Francisco for the Labor Day Weekend show …”

“Go for it,” he said. “I’ve actually never listened to Jimmy Buffett before.”

The next day, I got a text from him early in the morning: “Did you hear? I can’t believe it. Jimmy Buffett died. We were just talking about him yesterday.”

My first thought upon hearing the news (after an initial wave of sadness that the musical “great” had passed on) was that I’m glad I played a little tribute to Buffett, sharing his music with at least one person who didn’t know who he was.

Jimmy was an iconic musician and entrepreneur, best known for hits like “Margaritaville” and his devoted fans called “Parrotheads.” But beneath the casual beachcomber persona was a smart businessman and leader with decades of experience. Let’s dive into some leadership lessons from Jimmy Buffett:

Pursue your passion authentically. Jimmy’s music embodies his love for the beach, relaxation, and the sea. His authentic representation of his passions has endeared him to millions. Yet his sound was unique, unable to be labeled pop or country or rock in the traditional sense. He once said of his music: “They say I’m uncategorized; and to that I say, ‘Thank you.’” As leaders, it’s essential to follow your passion, wherever that may lead.

Adapt and pivot. Jimmy’s career didn’t take off immediately. In fact, his album “Down to Earth” sold just 324 copies and “Margaritaville” (released in 1977) was his only single to reach the pop Top Ten. Early in Jimmy’s career, he made shifts in his musical style and brand before finding his niche. Great leaders understand that adaptability is vital.

Collaborate and network. Over the years, Jimmy collaborated with various artists, which expanded his reach and appeal. Leaders should recognize the power of collaboration and networking, as it can lead to unexpected and fruitful opportunities.

Balance work and play. While Jimmy’s brand revolves around relaxation and beach life, it doesn’t mean he shied away from hard work. Instead, he mastered the art of balancing work with relaxation. Leaders should find this balance to ensure sustained productivity without burnout.

Prioritize sustainability. Jimmy’s advocacy for marine conservation and his efforts towards environmental sustainability underscored his forward-thinking leadership. Today’s leaders must recognize the importance of sustainable practices for long-term growth and the well-being of our planet.

Diversify your portfolio. Jimmy was not only a prolific singer/songwriter but also an avid sailor, accomplished entrepreneur (with his Margaritaville resorts, restaurants and merchandise) and a best-selling author. Leaders should look for opportunities to diversify, thereby minimizing risks and maximizing growth potentials.

Engage and cultivate your community. In 1985, coincidentally the same year when Jimmy opened his first Margaritaville location, bassist Timothy B. Schmit coined the phrase “Parrotheads” to describe Jimmy’s fans. And the name has stuck ever since, with Jimmy’s “Parrotheads” serving as a testament to his ability to create and nurture a community. As leaders, the emphasis shouldn’t just be on the product or service but on building and sustaining a dedicated community around the brand.

Make the most of whatever comes your way. Time and time again, Jimmy combatted challenges with good-natured humor and a well-worded pun. For example, he was an avid pilot and would typically fly himself to his shows. In 1996, Jimmy was flying one of his planes, Hemisphere Dancer, with Bono of U2, Island Records Founder Chris Blackwell, his wife and two daughters, when the plane was shot at by the Jamaican police. They later admitted opening fire on the musician was a “case of mistaken identity,” but the entire incident inspired Jimmy to write “Jamaica Mistaica,” turning a serious situation into a catchy, laid-back song.

So, what’s the message? When I arrived at the Washington Dulles airport this morning, I was reminded of Jimmy yet again as I read the departure signs and thought about his classic lyric “Reading departure signs in some big airport …” (See below for the lyrics to my favorite Jimmy Buffett song, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” which showcases that Adapt and Pivot lesson; and if you’re feeling really inspired, click on the link to give it a listen.) Whenever I’m feeling down and disappointed from a mishap, I play this song and specifically, recite my favorite lyric, so let’s end this post with my all-time favorite Jimmy Buffett line: “Oh, yesterday’s over my shoulder, so I can’t look back for too long. There’s just too much to see waiting in front of me and I know that I just can’t go wrong.”

—

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes

Song by Jimmy Buffett

I took off for a weekend last month just to try and recall the whole year

All of the faces and all of the places wonderin’ where they all disappeared

I didn’t ponder the question too long, I was hungry and went out for a bite

Ran into a chum with a bottle of rum and we wound up drinkin’ all night

It’s those changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

With all of our running and all of our cunning

If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane

Reading departure signs in some big airport reminds me of the places I’ve been

Visions of good times that brought so much pleasure makes me want to go back again

If it suddenly ended tomorrow I could somehow adjust to the fall

Good times and riches and son-of-a-b!tch$s I’ve seen more than I can recall

These changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

Through all of the islands and all of the highlands

If we couldn’t laugh we would all go insane

I think about Paris when I’m high on red wine I wish I could jump on a plane

So many nights I just dream of the ocean, god I wish I was sailin’ again

Oh, yesterday’s over my shoulder, so I can’t look back for too long

There’s just too much to see waiting in front of me and I know that I just can’t go wrong

With these changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes

Nothing remains quite the same

With all of my running and all of my cunning

If I couldn’t laugh I just would go insane

If we couldn’t laugh we just would go insane

If we weren’t all crazy we would go insane

Listen to the song on YouTube here.

Posted by HomeServices of America

Thoughts on Leadership: Finding Gratitude from Asteroids

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels found me starting Monday with my usual WIG calls then flying to Minneapolis. On Tuesday morning, I threw out the first pitch at the 2023 North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance (NAGAAA) Softball World Series then spent the day with the Edina Realty team at the Minnesota State Fair for a multi-office sales meeting that took place at the picnic area within the State Fairgrounds. I also conducted an afternoon training session with the Edina Realty and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices North Properties sales managers. On Wednesday, I traveled home, and this morning I sat down to write this post to you.

Every Thursday, I walk with a local real estate agent, and we start at 5:30 in the morning to get our steps in together. Today, it was 5 a.m. when I was driving to our meeting spot, completely dark, and there in the sky I saw the rare blue supermoon – a sight we won’t see again until 2037 – and it made me think of the universe, the stars, and asteroids. It reminded me of an interesting podcast episode I had listened to featuring Randall Carlson, a builder, architectural designer, teacher, geometrician, geomythologist, and geological explorer. So, I’d like to share some of what he said with you for today’s post.

Posted by HomeServices of America

Thoughts on Leadership: Leadership Lessons from Hurricane Hilary

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels found me working from my home office, conducting WIG calls on Monday and attending the weekly Berkshire Hathaway Energy meeting on Tuesday morning.

On Sunday, my home state of California was hit with its first tropical storm in 84 years – Hurricane Hilary. Several important leadership lessons from the storm can be applied to various aspects of life and decision-making. Here are seven leadership lessons we can learn:

Posted by HomeServices of America

Thoughts on Leadership: Lessons from Gary Koch

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me taking the week off to spend time with my family. It’s an opportunity to recharge before finishing out the year strong with our many HomeServices companies, leaders, and teams.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about leadership lessons from Steph Curry, including his passion for golf, and in response, received an email from Sue Behl with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Properties Group whose husband was a caddie for PGA professional golfer and longtime commentator Gary Koch. Koch also happens to be the 2023 recipient of the PGA TOUR’s Payne Stewart Award, which will be presented Tuesday, Aug. 22 during the Payne Stewart Award Ceremony.

“[Koch is] an awesome man who truly has earned it,” Sue wrote in her email, and because I couldn’t agree more, I wanted to showcase leadership lessons from Koch for today’s post. (Thank you, Sue, for your email. It’s always fun when readers respond to a Thoughts on Leadership post with ideas and inspiration!)

In response to Koch’s upcoming award, PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said: “For someone who spent more than three decades telling the PGA TOUR’s story to the masses, at the heart of [Koch’s] character is the desire to usher the game forward through his charitable work. That’s what would make Payne smile: A passion and love for sharing the game with the world while looking after the next generation.”

Koch’s amateur golf career began in 1969 when he won the Florida Open at 16 years old. The next year, he won the U.S. Junior Amateur before heading to Gainesville, Florida to play golf at the University of Florida. According to the PGA, Koch is a four-time All American with 10 collegiate titles. He also helped the University of Florida Gators claim the 1973 NCAA Championship.

Koch officially joined the PGA TOUR in 1976 and played 15 seasons, collecting six PGA TOUR victories, including a famous win at the 1984 Arnold Palmer Invitational. After playing golf, he spent the next 33 years commentating on the game for ESPN and NBC Sports. Who could forget his “better than most” call to describe Tiger Woods’ epic putt during the 2001 PLAYERS Championship on the “island green” No. 17 hole at TPC Sawgrass? Many believe that to be one of the most famous putts in golf history and Koch’s description to be one of the most famous calls of a putt ever.

But despite a notable golf and sportscasting career, Koch is also just as well known for shaping the next generation of golfers and giving back to communities in need. The Gary and Donna Koch Family Foundation, launched in 2014, provides scholarships and student aid to local youth. For the past 17 years, Koch has served as honorary chairman for Gift of Adoption’s Florida Chapter. The organization provides adoption assistance grants to complete the adoptions of children in vulnerable circumstances, giving them a chance to thrive.

Koch and his wife, Donna, have also been longtime supporters of the First Tee – Tampa Bay Chapter, a program branch of the Tampa YMCA, which introduces the game of golf and its character-building values to local youth. In fact, Koch currently serves as board chair of the First Tee – Tampa Bay Chapter.

In 2011, when the chapter was at risk of closing due to lack of funding, Koch rallied supporters (called “Friends of First Tee Tampa”) and together, they saved the chapter. In fact, the chapter has grown ever since, named eight years later as the largest chapter in the nation, and reaches more than 90,000 youth golfers in the area each year.

In 2022, Koch came up with the idea to build a par 3 course at the First Tee `facility and asked famed golf course architect (and former college teammate) Steve Smyers to design the course. (Smyers not only agreed, but also did so at no cost.) Annually, Koch hosts the Gary Koch Invitational Pro-Am to support First Tee – Tampa Bay as well as ART International Training & Research, dedicated to providing research, education and training for individuals diagnosed with traumatic psychological disorders.

So, what’s the message? When the PGA surprised Koch with the news he would be the recipient of the 2023 Payne Stewart Award, he didn’t talk about his career wins or his broadcasting highlights. Instead, he spoke about how giving back to others is the legacy he wants to solidify most. “When you’re recognized by your peers for some of the things you’ve accomplished, how you treat people and your charitable work, it means a tremendous amount,” he said, calling the award and the $300,000 gift he can now bestow to his local Tampa community “the highlight of my career.”

Posted by HomeServices of America

Thoughts on Leadership: Takeaways from the Buffini Mastermind Summit

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me at my home office on Monday, conducting WIG calls with our CEOs. On Tuesday, I participated in the early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy call then traveled to San Diego in the afternoon to attend the Buffini Mastermind Summit. On Wednesday morning, I finished up the awesome Mastermind Summit then drove to Irvine, California to the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices HQ. I’m still in Irvine today attending business meetings and of course, at my desk, writing this post to you.

Today I want to talk about the takeaways from the Buffini Mastermind Summit that I found particularly inspiring. The Summit is always great because it’s not just for real estate professionals; it’s for anyone in business looking to continually improve and achieve their own Wildly Important Goals.

This year’s Summit was all about “Putting the Joy Back In Your Journey,” and described actionable ways to make that happen. Joy, as the Summit described, is a sense of well-being, a feeling of great pleasure and good fortune that comes from success. How do we put joy back into our journey? We answer two questions: What steals our joy? What brings us joy? And we also execute on Wildly Important Goals: Eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive.

Let’s dive into what the Buffini Mastermind Summit had to say about these four aspects of joy, along with some of the notes I wrote in the workbook as the ideas were explained:

What steals our joy?

Complaining (to express dissatisfaction). As Jay Shetty said: “If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, you become the sacrifice.”
Criticizing (to find fault with something or someone). As Aristotle said: “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.”
Being negative (to lack positive or constructive feedback). As Willie Nelson said: “Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.”
Making excuses (to apologize for yourself). As Benjamin Franklin once said: “[The person who] is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”
Worrying (to afflict with mental distress or agitation). As Erma Bombeck once said: “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere.”

I also learned that according to a survey published by The Wall Street Journal, only 12% of respondents indicated that they were happy. Clearly, we need to get rid of those things stealing our joy and discover what can generate happiness in our lives! So …

What brings us joy?

The sweetness of our relationships.
A deep sense of purpose.
Meaningful work.
Physical and emotional wellness.
The magic moments.

As Terry Orlick, internationally acclaimed sport psychologist and author of “In Pursuit of Excellence,” said: “The heart of human excellence often begins to beat when you discover a pursuit that absorbs you, frees you, challenges you, or gives you a sense of meaning, joy or passion.” It’s why I say that I love what I do largely because of who I get to do it with. For me, real estate isn’t just a job. It’s a passion. It’s a calling. And that kind of work never feels like work. It always feels like joy.

How can we eliminate the negative?

Detox: A process or period in which one abstains from or rids the body of toxic or unhealthy substances. We must detox our attitude and our body. Increase our intake of joy, broaden and deepen positive associations and affirm what is true. Detox your attitude.

People do better together. Eliminating the negative is about being intentional, not only with your thoughts and actions but also with the people you find yourself hanging around with every day. Spend time with people who bring you joy. A study by Harvard Medical School and the University of California, San Diego found that “happiness is a collective phenomenon that spreads through social networks like an emotional contagion.”

How can we accentuate the positive?

Sweeten your relationships. Be grateful, kind (a mixture of patience and care), and intentional. Cultivate a deep sense of purpose by asking: What drives you? What are you willing to sacrifice? Who do you want to help? Make your work meaningful and easy through the right mindset, motivation and methodology that will generate positive results. Tend to your physical and emotional wellness by making self-care a priority, creating daily routines, and taking time for yourself. Live up the magic moments by being present and celebrating success with those you care about most!

So, what’s the message? You don’t have to wait for joy or for magic moments to happen. You can proactively go out, create, and plan them into your business and life. Positivity and joy can be found all around us – in our community, our relationships, and our beliefs. We can make joy something we seek out and discover every day. As Brian Buffini, creator of the Mastermind Summit, would say, don’t wait to find joy in your life. Do it now.

Posted by HomeServices of America

Thoughts on Leadership: Lessons from Col. Nicole Malachowski

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me traveling to Palm Springs, California on Monday. On Tuesday, I participated in the early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy call then joined an all-day CEO leadership meeting before kicking off Stronger Together 2023. Stronger Together is HomeServices’ annual conference for top-producing real estate professionals from across our family of brokerages. It’s been an awesome few days at the iconic J.W. Marriott and for today’s post, I’d like to share some wisdom imparted by one of our keynote speakers, Col. Nicole Malachowski, who wowed the crowd with her thoughts on a “push the envelope” mindset.

First, let’s talk about Col. Malachowski. She’s not only a 21-year U.S. Air Force veteran – with combat experience in Iraq and Kosovo – but also a pioneering aviator who was commander of an F-15E fighter squadron and the first woman Thunderbird pilot. In addition, she was a White House Fellow and advisor, among other Pentagon roles.

Needless to say, when Col. Malachowski spoke about being the best, we listened. Because for an aviation innovator, being the best means never feeling like the turbulence of life can throw you off course, no matter what kind of headwinds you encounter along the way.

An unexpected headwind for Col. Malachowski was surviving a late-stage neurological tick-borne illness (Lyme disease). Even something so crippling and uncontrollable couldn’t hold this fighter pilot back. She says don’t waste energy on things you can’t control. It’s not how you become your very best.

“Nicole,” people would ask the award-winning fighter pilot. “What’s it like to be the best?”

And do you know how she’d respond? She’d laugh. Because to Col. Malachowski, being “the best” isn’t about individual achievements, so she says she really wouldn’t know. Being the best to Col. Malachowski is about being part of some of the very best teams.

Col. Malachowski says elite teams like the ones she’s been a part of have what she calls the “push the envelope” mindset. The phrase “push the envelope” comes from aviation lingo, meaning to take an aircraft to its designated altitude and speed limits.

But how does this play out in real life? As an example, one of the single-greatest honors of Col. Malachowski’s career was when she taught young lieutenants how to fly F-15E Strike Eagles. She calls the aircraft “a beast,” capable of flying 50,000+ feet, pulling nine times the force of gravity and flying twice the speed of sound.

When Col. Malachowski would teach the new lieutenants and pilots how to fly the aircraft, she found the same thing happened every time: They’d get into the aircraft – eyes wide and voices shaking. Then, they’d fly up safely into the training airspace when she’d say, “You have the aircraft.”

The new lieutenant would grab the stick and take the F-15E to about 20,00 feet, 250 miles an hour, pulling 2 Gs.

“What a waste,” Col. Malachowski says with a laugh. She knew this incredible piece of technology could do far more than what the students were asking of it, and it was her job to show them how to take it to the very edge of its capabilities. As part of their team and as their instructor, it was her responsibility to show them how to make the aircraft do its best, and how they can become their best, too.

So, what’s the message? Here are some takeaways Col. Malachowski listed at the very end of her speech, which are all practical ways to be your best:

Nothing of significance is ever accomplished alone.
Acknowledge and show gratitude for others’ expertise.
Honor the wingman contract, which is defined by Col. Malachowski as “an unspoken promise to each other that our actions will always represent the mission, the professional standards, and the values of the whole team.”
Ask for and offer help.

Those are just some of the key lessons from Col. Malachowski’s incredible keynote speech, which focused on how being the best can only happen when we are stronger together.

Posted by HomeServices of America

Thoughts on Leadership: Lessons from Steph Curry

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me starting Monday at my home office, conducting my regular WIG calls with CEOs, then flying to Orange County for meetings and events. On Tuesday, I had the early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy call, then a breakfast meeting with Greg Abel, vice chair of non-insurance operations at Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. On Wednesday morning, I presented a training class at Intero’s headquarters, then joined HomeServices of America’s Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Teresa Palacios Smith on the debut broadcast of the new “Diversity Matters” podcast. The rest of the week was about preparing for the HomeServices of America leadership meeting and Stronger Together, both taking place next week in Palm Desert, California. Of course, between meetings, I sat down to write this post to you.

When I was on the “Diversity Matters” podcast yesterday, Teresa asked me about this blog and, for the first time ever, I announced the topic of the next “Thoughts on Leadership” before it was published. So, for those who tuned in, you’d know today I’m going to talk about Steph Curry, not only because his new documentary, “Stephen Curry: Underrated” was recently released on Apple TV+, but also because on July 16, he won the American Century Championship (ACC) celebrity golf tournament in spectacular fashion. The day before, Curry made a hole-in-one on the seventh hole, and on the last day of the tournament, he made a clutch 20-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole to win the title. As I told Teresa, there are so many lessons we can learn from the basketball superstar.

His documentary is inspiring: a tale of against-the-odds achievement on a grand scale. It begins with basketball legend Reggie Miller reading Curry’s pre-draft scouting report. The critics did not mince their words:

“Far below NBA standard in regard to explosiveness and athleticism …”

“Can overshoot and rush his shots …”

“Doesn’t like when defenses are too physical with him …”

And the best one by far:

“Do not rely on him to run your team …”

Juxtapose those comments with Curry’s four championship rings and you will laugh at how history proved these sentiments wrong. And that, perhaps, is one of the most magical things about Steph Curry and his leadership story. He constantly fought (and won) against those who second-guessed his abilities. The result? In addition to being a four-time NBA champion, Curry is also a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Finals MVP, NBA All-Star Game MVP and a nine-time NBA All-Star. He also holds the record for all-time leader in total-3 pointers.

Underrated no more. But in the beginning, even Curry’s mom, Sonya, worried about whether her son could become an NBA player. (Notably, his father, Dell Curry, was an NBA player who retired as the all-time leading scorer of the Charlotte Hornets.) Virginia Tech, where Curry’s parents went to school, turned him down. Duke, where Curry attended a basketball camp, didn’t accept him on the team. Curry signed with Davidson College, where he played an integral role in taking the Davidson Wildcats’ basketball team to the 2008 Elite Eight in the NCAA championship. It was called “a Cinderella story for the ages,” with Curry leading the charge, and it set him on a path to greatness.

In addition to being a basketball superstar, Curry is also an avid – and scratch – golfer, who began playing at the age of 10. His commitment to the sport showed last Sunday at the Edgewood Tahoe South golf course in Stateline, Nevada for the ACC tournament. During the practice rounds, Curry walked the course with coaches, asking questions about the greens. Before the tournament, Curry spent time with legendary golf coach Butch Harmon, who has helped PGA greats Tiger Woods, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler. Curry admitted to Golf Week after the coaching that what Harmon taught him would help him “build a little confidence.”

Maybe it was added confidence that propelled Curry’s tournament win, but it may have also been his desire to provide himself yet again, focusing intently on the shot in front of him. “The next shot mentality is huge,” Curry said during the tournament, according to NBA.com. “Basketball’s a little more reactive so you don’t have too much time to dwell on what’s going on. In golf, you have a long walk from shot to shot to deal with the thoughts going on between the ears. You have to have a bit of amnesia out there.”

A focus on the future informs more than Curry’s golf game. He’s also a champion for diversity, equity and inclusion, and that advocacy has intertwined with his love for golf. Curry committed to funding the Howard University golf program for six years, and he started the Underrated Golf Tour, established “to provide a positive, competitive, safe space environment for culturally diverse” junior golfers. For his tremendous efforts, the PGA honored Curry earlier this month with the 2023 Ambassador of Golf Award.

So, what’s the message? Curry’s success story proves that no matter what others say, passion will always fuel progress on and off the court.

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