Posts tagged:leadership

Thoughts on Leadership: Leading with Love

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me at home as well as Jacksonville, FL. Monday started with my typical WIG calls and on Tuesday, I had an early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy weekly executive meeting.

On Wednesday morning I traveled to Jacksonville, FL. I spent this morning with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty and I will spend tomorrow morning with HomeTeam Inspection Services at their annual Summit. Among other topics I am sharing 6 philosophies on life and business so you can make 2024 your best year yet!

Read more: Thoughts on Leadership: Leading with Love

Earlier this year my mom passed away at the age of 93. I wanted to dedicate this week’s blog to her and the leadership lessons we’ve learned from all mothers.

If you’re interested in reading my mom’s eulogy I’ve included a link below to the words I shared last week at her services.

  1. Lead by Example: Mothers often lead by demonstrating the values and behaviors they want to instill in their children, showing the importance of leading through actions rather than just words.
  2. Effective Communication: Mothers excel in communication, conveying their expectations, providing guidance, and offering support in a clear and empathetic manner, highlighting the importance of effective communication in leadership.
  3. Empathy and Compassion: Mothers are known for their empathy and compassion, understanding the needs and feelings of others. This teaches us the significance of considering the well-being of team members and fostering a supportive environment.
  4. Resilience and Adaptability: Mothers frequently exhibit resilience and adaptability in handling various challenges and juggling multiple responsibilities. This emphasizes the importance of flexibility and perseverance in leadership roles.
  5. Nurturing Growth: Mothers nurture the growth and development of their children, providing encouragement, feedback, and opportunities for learning. This teaches us the value of supporting the growth and development of our team members, empowering them to reach their full potential.

The eulogy of Dory Blefari

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Thoughts on Leadership: Leadership Lessons from Santa Claus

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me starting Monday with my typical WIG calls. On Tuesday, I had an early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy weekly executive meeting followed by our monthly leadership meeting. On Wednesday, I participated in HomeServices of America’s December corporate team gathering followed by succession planning calls which continued into today.

Today, as I sit in my cozy home office, sipping on a hot cup of coffee, my thoughts wander to a leader who, though mythical, embodies timeless lessons in leadership – Santa Claus. Yes, you read that right. Santa, the jolly old man from the North Pole, has much to teach us about effective leadership.

Read more: Thoughts on Leadership: Leadership Lessons from Santa Claus

Santa Claus, a figure synonymous with generosity and cheer, may not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about leadership. However, delve a little deeper, and you’ll find his approach holds valuable insights for leaders in any field.

1. Team Building and Delegation Santa’s workshop, bustling with elves, is a prime example of effective team building and delegation. Each elf has a specific role, playing to their strengths, whether it’s toy-making, reindeer care, or navigation planning. As leaders, recognizing the unique talents of each team member and delegating tasks accordingly is crucial. It’s about creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best.

2. Consistency and Reliability Year after year, without fail, Santa delivers. His reliability is legendary. In leadership, consistency in your actions and decisions builds trust and reliability within your team. It’s about being someone your team can depend on, come rain, snow, or shine.

3. Adaptability and Innovation Consider Santa’s evolution over the years. From reindeer-powered sleighs to embracing the digital age for his naughty and nice list, Santa shows adaptability and innovation. In our rapidly changing world, leaders must be flexible and open to new ideas to stay ahead.

4. Global Perspective Santa’s one-night journey around the globe symbolizes a global perspective, understanding different cultures and traditions. Effective leaders embrace diversity and inclusivity, recognizing that a broad range of perspectives enriches decision-making and problem-solving.

5. The Spirit of Giving At the heart of Santa’s ethos is the spirit of giving. Leadership isn’t just about guiding a team to success; it’s about what you give back – your time, knowledge, and support. It’s about lifting others as you climb.

6. Maintaining a Positive Attitude Santa’s trademark “Ho, Ho, Ho” reflects a positive attitude, crucial in leadership. Positivity in the face of challenges is infectious and can motivate your team to push through tough times.

7. Mystery and Intrigue Santa maintains an air of mystery, a trait that can be beneficial in leadership. It’s not about being secretive but about keeping a sense of intrigue and excitement around your vision and plans, which can drive engagement and interest.

8. Time Management Finally, Santa’s ability to deliver gifts to children around the world in one night is nothing short of miraculous time management. Effective leaders know how to manage their time wisely, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.

So, what’s the message? Santa Claus, a symbol of joy and generosity, also embodies key leadership qualities – team building, reliability, adaptability, a global perspective, the spirit of giving, positivity, mystery, and exceptional time management. As we enjoy this festive season, let’s take a leaf out of Santa’s book and strive to be better leaders, not just in our workplaces but in every aspect of our lives.

Happy Holidays!

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Thoughts on Leadership: Lessons from the late Charlie Munger

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me at home, starting Monday with my typical WIG calls. On Tuesday, I joined the early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy call, then had a few meetings. On Wednesday and Thursday, I co-hosted six succession calls.

On Tuesday I learned of Charlie Munger’s passing at the age of 99. In tribute to this extraordinary individual, I’ve decided to dedicate today’s blog to Charlie Munger.

Read more: Thoughts on Leadership: Lessons from the late Charlie Munger

Reflecting on the experiences that have molded my leadership journey, I find myself drawn to the profound impact Charlie Munger has had on my approach to leadership and personal development. Several years ago, on a sunny afternoon, I stumbled upon a nugget of Munger’s wisdom, and it wasn’t just inspiring—it catalyzed a significant shift in how I perceive leadership.

Charlie Munger, the esteemed vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett’s long-time partner, is renowned not only for his investment acumen but also for his insight into human nature. Munger encourages learning from others’ experiences, particularly through biographies.

He once asserted, “In my whole life, I have known no wise people who didn’t read all the time – none, zero.” This statement struck a chord, inspiring me to delve into the lives of great leaders and thinkers through their biographies. The impact of this seemingly simple habit on my leadership has been transformative.

Reading biographies feels like engaging in a conversation with history’s greatest minds. It allows me to stand on the shoulders of giants, gaining a broader perspective and learning from the triumphs and failures of those who came before us. From Alexander the Great’s strategic brilliance to Steve Jobs’ innovative mindset, each story adds a layer to my understanding of effective leadership.

Reading biographies has also significantly influenced my decision-making process. Munger, a staunch advocate for multidisciplinary learning, showed me how leaders across different eras and fields approach problem-solving. This enriched perspective enables me to draw from a diverse set of principles and experiences when facing complex challenges.

Munger’s wisdom also taught me the value of patience and long-term thinking. In a world that often prioritizes short-term gains, biographies of great leaders emphasize the power of having a visionary, long-term outlook. True leadership, I’ve come to realize, is about building a legacy that withstands the test of time, not just achieving immediate success.

As I navigate my own leadership journey, I’ve strived to emulate Munger’s approach. Whether making business decisions or mentoring my team, I aim to think beyond the immediate horizon. This shift in perspective hasn’t only made me a more effective leader but has also infused a sense of fulfillment and purpose into my work.

Charlie Munger’s influence on my leadership journey can’t be overstated. His emphasis on continuous learning, simplicity, ethical behavior, and long-term thinking has become my compass in both personal and professional spheres. The lessons I have learned from Munger, particularly through the habit of reading biographies, have shaped my leadership style and infused it with a blend of compassion and vision.

Now, let’s delve into the leadership lessons we can extract from Charlie Munger, a figure whose life and work offer a treasure trove of wisdom.

1. The Value of Lifelong Learning

Charlie Munger exemplifies the concept of lifelong learning. His insatiable intellectual curiosity and dedication to continuous education serve as a model for leaders. He shows us that a true leader never stops learning, underscoring the importance of being a voracious reader and keen observer of the world. This commitment to constant learning equips leaders to adapt to changing circumstances and make well-informed decisions.

2. Embracing Simplicity

One of Munger’s celebrated principles was his advocacy for simplicity and clarity. He firmly believed in avoiding unnecessary complexity—a lesson of utmost significance for effective leadership. By focusing on what truly matters and steering clear of unnecessary details, leaders can make more efficient and impactful decisions.

3. The Power of Mental Models

Munger’s reliance on mental models, a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, imparts a crucial lesson. Leaders should be adept at approaching challenges from various perspectives. A good leader should possess a diverse set of tools and frameworks, ensuring a well-rounded and thorough understanding before taking decisive action.

4. Understanding the Psychology of Human Misjudgment

Munger’s insight into human psychology, particularly the psychology of misjudgment, offer invaluable lessons for leaders. Grasping the reasons behind people’s decisions, often driven by irrational factors, enables leaders to anticipate challenges, manage teams more effectively, and navigate the intricate dynamics within an organization.

5. The Importance of Ethical Leadership

Above all, Munger exemplifies ethical leadership. His unwavering integrity and adherence to moral principles convey the message that true leadership goes beyond achieving goals and being successful—it also entails doing the right thing and setting a moral example for others to follow.

6. Patience and Long-Term Thinking

Munger’s investment strategies reflect a profound belief in patience and long-term thinking. This approach is equally applicable in leadership. Quick fixes seldom provide solutions to complex problems. Effective leaders need the patience to see through long-term plans and the foresight to plan for the future.

7. Collaboration and Seeking Diverse Opinions

Munger’s enduring partnership with Warren Buffett underscores the importance of collaboration and valuing diverse opinions. Great leaders acknowledge that they don’t possess all the answers and remain open to learning from others. This collaborative spirit contributes to better decision-making and the generation of innovative solutions.

Charlie Munger’s life and teachings offer invaluable lessons for anyone aspiring to be a better leader. His emphasis on continuous learning, simplicity, ethical behavior, and long-term thinking are principles that can guide us in our personal and professional lives. Inspired by the biographies of great leaders like Munger, I am reminded of the profound impact that their experiences and wisdom can have on shaping effective, compassionate, and visionary leadership.

In essence, leadership is not solely about actions but also about cultivating the right mindset and a commitment to ongoing learning. Charlie Munger’s influence has led me to the enriching world of biographies, profoundly shaping my leadership style. This journey serves as a reminder that impactful lessons often arise not just from personal experiences but from the shared wisdom of those who have traversed the path before us. As we progress on our leadership journeys, let’s remember to draw inspiration from the stories of those who have already made the journey, for within their narratives lie the secrets to great leadership.

So what’s the message? The message can be best summed up by something I heard Warren Buffet say about Charlie Munger: “Charlie has given me the ultimate gift that a person can give to someone else – he’s made me a better person than I would have otherwise been.”

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Thoughts on Leadership: In Gratitude for YOU

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me at home, starting Monday with my typical WIG calls. On Tuesday, I joined the early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy call then had four succession calls. Today, I had a few meetings and calls but mostly prepared for the four-day weekend ahead. And guess what? Exactly one year ago and a day from today, I was at the San Jose International Airport at 1:17 p.m. for my puppy pick-up and welcomed our sweet pup June to the family. A year later, I am so thankful that June joined the Blefari crew and brings so much joy to all of us. She’s a handful but we love her, and we’re grateful to have her in our lives.

Gratitude, just as it’s been all month, is really in the spotlight this week. I’m grateful for my family, friends and colleagues who have become like family, and I hope we can all take a few moments away from our holiday festivities to appreciate those who make our days that much brighter.

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Thoughts on Leadership: Lessons from Mr. Irrelevant

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me heading to New Orleans on Monday for the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Marketing Forum, where the following day I delivered a presentation about the win-against-all-odds Kentucky Derby winner “Rich Strike.” On Wednesday, I traveled by car with Roberts Brothers President Teresa Williamson to Mobile, Alabama for a visit with the Roberts Brothers team. Today, I met with Roberts Brothers during their all-company sales meeting (with a Q&A led by Teresa) then hopped on a flight to Chicago for a visit with the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago team. Tomorrow, after spending time with the Chicago team, I’ll attend an Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) lunch followed by the AREAA Gala in the evening. Of course, in between meetings, I sat down to write this post to you.

Last week, I received an email from Eric Webster, general manager at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices First Realty, in response to the weekly Thoughts on Leadership detailing lessons learned from the NFL. He wrote: “Good morning, Gino. You and I are cheering for the same guy for maybe slightly different reasons. I am a fan of [San Francisco 49ers Quarterback] Brock Purdy from his days at Iowa State.”

Read more: Thoughts on Leadership: Lessons from Mr. Irrelevant

Eric said he’d been thinking about Purdy lately as he’s been in the news for near-flawless performances during games this season, helping to lead the 49ers to a 5-0 start. (It’s certainly made my Sundays a lot more enjoyable!) In his email, Eric posed an interesting point to consider: “I’ve been wondering why he is so good today – but was only ‘good’ at Iowa State University.”

When Purdy played at Iowa State University, he was a solid player, but his team didn’t win a national championship. In the 2022 NFL Draft, he was chosen 262nd, the very last player selected, historically deemed “Mr. Irrelevant.” (He was even celebrated during “Irrelevant Week,” a charity event held each year in Newport Beach – just a few minutes’ drive away from the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices headquarters – to celebrate the last-picked player in the NFL draft.)

Today, Purdy is the ultimate come-from-behind underdog story, very much like the story of Rich Strike I told days earlier at Marketing Forum in New Orleans. From beginning his NFL career as Mr. Irrelevant, Purdy is today starting quarterback for a so-far undefeated 49ers team. He threw four touchdown passes in Sunday’s game against the Cowboys. He has fourteen consecutive regular season wins under his belt, dating back to last season. And to echo our earlier question: Why? How did a player picked last in the NFL draft turn into such a standout?

Well, there are many reasons for Purdy’s productivity and high-performance, and each one proves a lesson in both leadership and the establishment of a mindset that embraces perpetual improvement:

  • Trust. Purdy is implicitly trusted by his teammates and 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan; it’s a trust he’s earned through consistent results since taking over the starting quarterback position during Week 13 last NFL season. Shanahan says Purdy’s been “extremely consistent in practice since he’s been here, and he’s been the same in games. What you see is what we see and it’s what you feel.” Trust is earned, and trust is felt. Trust allows teams to take risks and push themselves harder on the path toward reaching their highest potential, knowing every member of the team supports the whole.
  • Progress. Some might say Purdy is the byproduct of an excellent team, a quarterback surrounded by a tough offense line that’s coached by some of the best offensive strategists in the nation. But while critics will tell you it’s only a matter of time before Purdy’s “great” turns to “not so good,” the stats are clear: Purdy keeps getting better. His time before passing improved from 2.84 seconds in 2022 to 2.56 seconds so far this season. He’s also bringing the ball farther down the field, with 7.2 air yards per attempt, up 0.2 yards from last year. Purdy’s 95.2% completion rate in Sunday’s game against the Cowboys is the best by any passer in 49ers history, and 48.2% of Purdy’s pass attempts gain a first down or touchdown, which is the highest percentage in the NFL right now. In leadership, a commitment to evolve and innovate is everything.
  • Dedication. As 49ers Left Guard Aaron Banks told ESPN: “[Purdy] is a dude who comes in and studies his film, studies his craft and makes sure he’s getting better week by week.” In leadership, a dedicated leader who is set on improvement is far more important than a leader who is complacent, even if they’re at the top of their game. Remember, once you think you know it all, your slide to mediocrity has already begun.
  • Chemistry. In Eric’s email, he said: “Something happened to Brock. He is on the right team at the right time, and they are really having fun together.” This is a true example of chemistry at play. In sports, chemistry is everything. You win or lose based on the chemistry of your leaders and your team. The same applies to business; a good leader not only understands their team’s chemistry but can also utilize it to effectively accomplish every Wildly Important Goal.

So, what’s the message? An underdog like Mr. Irrelevant has nothing to lose and everything to gain, which is the perfect recipe for success. 

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Thoughts on Leadership: How’s That Business Plan Going?

By Gino Blefari

This week my travels find me starting Monday in my home office, conducting WIG calls throughout the day. On Tuesday, I participated in the early morning Berkshire Hathaway Energy call then presented a virtual leadership session for the Chalk Digital team. On Wednesday, I attended the HomeServices of America Diversity MEETS monthly meeting, and today, I sat down to write this post to you as I battle a strong cold that’s been lingering all week.

Last week, we rang in the real estate new year (read more about that here), and this week, I want to dive deeper into ways you can prepare and plan for a strong 2024. Ideally, you should complete your business plan in October; but if you haven’t started yet, you can download the Business Planning Essentials here.

Read more: Thoughts on Leadership: How’s That Business Plan Going?

Why plan in October? As I mentioned in last week’s post, real estate works on a 90-day cycle. What you do today will pay off three months from now, and concurrently, what you don’t do today will cause suffering and headache three months down the road.

Planning a full 90 days before the start of the New Year means that as soon as January 1 rolls around, you’ll already be running when you hit the ground. A business plan allows you to prepare for expected and unexpected challenges. It ensures the busy holiday season won’t stop your momentum in 2024. As the famous Ben Franklin quote goes: “A failure to plan is a plan to fail.” (Heard that one before, JT?)

A big part of business planning is planning your schedule. Once you plan your schedule, staying on your schedule is by far the most important thing you can do.

This weekend, aim to schedule out every day for the remainder of the year, including every single day off, and every day you’ll work for the rest of 2023. Make sure on those days you work, you work. On your workdays, follow your schedule, do your prospecting, and complete every task that will turn into business for you.

Then, from now to the end of the year and if you can carry it throughout the upcoming year, review your schedule for your upcoming day the night before. Every week, review your weekly schedule the Sunday before. And every month, review your monthly schedule the day before a new month begins. Having a schedule, and more importantly following your schedule, will have the biggest impact on your success.

Plus, part of business planning and scheduling naturally involves articulating your goals, and writing down goals has been proven to positively correlate to a person’s likelihood of achieving them.

In 1953, Harvard conducted a now-famous study on goal setting. Researchers asked Harvard MBA students about their goals. Here were their responses: 3% said they had clear, written goals; 13% said they had goals, but they were not written down; and 84% said they did not have goals at all. Ten years later, the study examined the success of its participants and found that the 13% who had non-written goals earned on average two times as much as the 84% of people who did not have goals. Most impressively, the study revealed that the 3% who had written goals outperformed everyone in the study by earning ten times as much as the other 97% of participants combined.

So, what’s the message? Scheduling helps you meet your goals, and goals are key to success.  Plan and schedule yourself out now, so when everyone else is working or scrambling to business-plan over the holidays, you’ll be ahead of the game and on your way to success.

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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!

Read more: Thoughts on Leadership: Happy Real Estate 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.

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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.

Read more: Thoughts on Leadership: Leadership Lessons from Coach Prime

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.

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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.

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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:

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