Success is a concept that often feels elusive—especially in a world that constantly pushes us to measure progress by external markers like revenue, growth, and accolades. But what if true success isn’t about hitting predefined milestones? What if it’s about living with intention, building something meaningful, and finding fulfillment in ways that go beyond traditional definitions?

As I reflect on my personal and professional journey, I’ve come to realize that “winning” isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. It’s deeply personal and multifaceted. Whether you’re a leader, an entrepreneur, or someone striving for personal growth, rethinking what “winning” means can help you align your actions with your values.

If you’re in the Charlotte area, I’d love to meet you in person and continue this conversation. On June 5th at 6:30 PM, I’ll be at Park Road Books in Charlotte, NC, for a Hey Dad… Book Signing + Meet & Greet. Whether you’re a parent, mentor, or simply someone who enjoys a good life-read, I’d love for you to stop by! I’m excited to hear your story, sign a copy of the book, and connect outside of the inbox.

RSVP to save your spot, and I hope to see you there!

Now, let’s dive into what I’ve learned about success…

1. Success is About People, Not Just Numbers

For me, some of the most significant wins in life had little to do with financial metrics or business growth. Instead, they were about the relationships I’ve built and the people I’ve helped along the way. In business, we often define success through numbers—revenue, profit, market share. But the true measure of success lies in how we impact others.

As leaders, it’s important to remember that success is about empowering people. Whether it’s creating opportunities for others, sharing knowledge, or supporting your team, investing in people is the most fulfilling and lasting form of success. After all, the impact you have on others can create a ripple effect that far exceeds any personal achievement.

2. Sustainable Growth is Better Than Short-Term Wins

We live in a world that prizes quick results—whether that’s closing a deal or hitting a quarterly target. But in my experience, short-term wins often come at the expense of long-term stability. Real success doesn’t come from chasing the next big win or leveraging temporary circumstances. It comes from cultivating sustainable growth over time.

This principle applies not just in business, but in life. Building something of lasting value requires patience, consistency, and a commitment to making decisions that will benefit you and those around you in the long run. Whether you’re growing a business or nurturing relationships, the most rewarding outcomes come from staying focused on the bigger picture, rather than the immediate payoff.

3. Failure is Not the Opposite of Success—It’s Part of the Process

No one likes to fail, but failure is a natural and necessary part of growth. Over the years, I’ve realized that success isn’t about avoiding mistakes or setbacks; it’s about learning from them and moving forward stronger. In fact, some of my greatest successes have come from the lessons learned during moments of failure.

When you shift your perspective and view failure as an opportunity for growth, it becomes much easier to take risks, experiment, and try new things. Every mistake carries valuable insights that, if applied, can guide you toward greater success. Embracing failure as a stepping stone is crucial to achieving your goals, both professionally and personally.

4. Success Is a Journey, Not a Destination

One of the most important shifts I’ve made in my thinking is recognizing that success is not a destination. It’s a journey—a series of ongoing steps that are constantly evolving. The idea that we will someday “arrive” at success is a myth. Instead, we must embrace the process and take pride in the small wins along the way.

Whether you’re building a business, progressing in your career, or working on personal growth, remember that every step forward counts. Celebrate the progress, not just the end result. The journey itself holds more lessons, challenges, and rewards than any final destination could ever offer.

5. Focus on the Impact You Have, Not Just the Outcomes You Achieve

Ultimately, the measure of success is in the legacy you leave behind. In my career, I’ve found that the most meaningful successes aren’t the ones with the biggest headlines. Instead, they’re the quiet moments when you’ve helped someone else grow, contributed to a bigger cause, or created something that outlasts you.

It’s easy to get caught up in personal achievements, but the true measure of success is how you’ve impacted others. Whether you’re a mentor, a leader, or a colleague, the way you influence and inspire others is the real legacy you create. Success isn’t about what you accumulate, but about what you give and how you help others reach their potential.

Redefining Success

In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get swept up in the pressure to achieve more, faster. But the real question we should be asking ourselves is: What does success mean to me? How can I define and pursue success in a way that aligns with my values and contributes to something greater than myself?

By redefining success, we can focus on building lasting relationships, cultivating sustainable growth, embracing failure as part of the process, and making an impact that goes beyond personal gain. True success isn’t defined by external metrics—it’s about living a life of purpose, growth, and service to others.

As leaders, we are constantly focused on driving success for our businesses—whether that’s through scaling, navigating market challenges, or optimizing performance. But as we navigate the path forward, there’s another responsibility that we can’t afford to overlook: teaching the next generation.

This week, I’ve been reflecting on something that I believe deserves more attention: the real-world lessons we can impart to the younger generation. Whether they’re entering the workforce for the first time or stepping into their own entrepreneurial ventures, the lessons we teach them can shape their careers and, ultimately, their success.

It’s a responsibility that goes beyond what they’ll learn in a classroom. In fact, many of the most critical skills for life and business aren’t taught in textbooks—they come from experience, insight, and guidance. That’s what I’ve tried to capture in my book, Hey Dad: Everything You Should Have Learned About Life (But Didn’t), which offers the real-life advice I wish someone had shared with me when I was starting out.

But before we jump into some life lessons for the next generation, I’d like to invite those of you in the Charlotte area to my upcoming book signing on June 5 at Park Road Books.

This event isn’t just about signing books—it’s about meaningful conversations on the life lessons that inspired this project. Whether you’re a parent, mentor, or young adult navigating adulthood, stop by, grab a copy, and let’s discuss how to live with purpose and intention as you move forward.

RSVP to save your spot, and I hope to see you there!

Now, here are some key lessons that, as leaders, we can pass down to the next generation:

1. Resilience in the Face of Adversity

When I think back on my career and the challenges I’ve faced, one thing stands out: success isn’t just about the wins—it’s about how you handle the losses. Everyone experiences setbacks, whether in business, relationships, or personal growth. What separates those who succeed from those who don’t is resilience. Teaching the next generation how to rebound from failure and learn from mistakes is a crucial life skill. Resilience builds confidence, grit, and the perseverance needed to push forward, no matter what the future holds. Over the years, I’ve gone through my own struggles, but they have since proven to have shaped my approach to leadership. The message is clear: don’t fear failure, embrace it as a stepping stone.

2. The Power of Listening and Understanding

It’s easy to believe that leadership is all about speaking and directing, but truly effective leadership is about listening. Listening fosters understanding, which leads to stronger relationships and better decision-making. Whether it’s listening to your team, clients, or partners, taking the time to understand different perspectives makes all the difference. In business and life, it’s not just what you know, but how well you understand others. Sometimes, the best advice comes from simply asking the right questions and hearing what’s on someone else’s mind.

3. Building Strong Networks

Success in any field rarely happens in isolation. The most successful individuals understand that networking is not just about landing a job or building a client base—it’s about connecting with others, sharing knowledge, and building relationships that can open doors and provide valuable insights. The next generation must understand the value of relationships in the professional world. Networking isn’t just a task; it’s an ongoing investment in growth, both personally and professionally. Leveraging relationships—whether they’re mentors, peers, or colleagues—can shape opportunities in ways that other factors can’t.

4. The Importance of Data-Driven Decision Making

Gone are the days when decisions were based on gut feelings alone. Today’s most successful leaders rely heavily on data to make informed choices that move their business forward. Whether it’s financial data, customer insights, or market research, data helps us mitigate risk, seize opportunities, and fine-tune our strategies. For young professionals, developing the ability to analyze and leverage data will give them a competitive edge. To be successful, it’s critical to have systems in place to measure progress, track performance, and guide choices with clear, objective information.

5. Building a Legacy, Not Just Profits

At the heart of true leadership lies a deeper purpose: building a legacy that transcends financial success. True leadership involves shaping a legacy that impacts not only the business but also the community, the industry, and the people you work with. It’s about the values you leave behind, not just the profits you generate. The next generation needs to understand that success isn’t only measured by the bottom line. In Hey Dad, I stress the importance of understanding your purpose and how that purpose drives your decisions. Whether you’re helping someone grow professionally or contributing to your community, leaving a lasting impact is the true measure of success.

6. The Importance of Financial Literacy and Strategic Planning

Navigating adulthood means facing financial realities—managing income, budgeting, saving, investing, and planning for the future. We must help the next generation gain financial literacy and understand the long-term implications of their financial decisions. The earlier we teach them how to make smart financial decisions, the better equipped they’ll be to build wealth and avoid common pitfalls.

7. Strategic Risk-Taking with a Clear Vision

We live in a world of constant change and uncertainty. As leaders, we can help the next generation understand that taking risks is often necessary to achieve great rewards. However, these risks should be strategic and aligned with their goals. Having a clear vision and knowing when to act boldly is a critical skill for anyone entering the workforce or running a business.

Preparing the Next Generation for Leadership

The future of leadership lies in the hands of the next generation, and as current leaders, it’s our job to equip them with the skills and mindset they need to succeed. In my experience, passing on these real-world lessons—ranging from resilience and listening to financial literacy and legacy building—will help prepare them for the challenges ahead. It’s not just about preparing them for work; it’s about helping them grow as individuals, capable of thriving in an ever-changing world.

This week’s topic is one I wish I had understood earlier in my career—and definitely in my life as a father, entrepreneur, and operator:

Saying no is a growth strategy.

For a long time, I saw “yes” as the default setting for success. Say yes to opportunity. Say yes to challenges. Say yes to proving yourself. And to be clear—there’s a season where that mindset fuels growth. But unchecked, that same instinct can lead to overextension, distraction, and burnout.

One of the biggest shifts in my career—and in my personal life—was learning that saying no isn’t closing a door. It’s protecting the right ones.

And that’s a lesson I now try to pass down to the next generation. In Hey Dad…, my newest book for young adults (and those guiding them), there’s a section that dives into decision-making—how to prioritize your time, protect your energy, and stay focused on what matters most. It’s framed for someone stepping into adulthood, but I’d argue the principle doesn’t change with age. If anything, it becomes more critical. Because here’s the truth I’ve had to learn the hard way: Every “yes” is really a “no” to something else.

And if you’re not intentional about where your yeses go, you’ll end up trading time, energy, and focus for things that don’t align with your goals—or your values.

Why Saying No Is a Powerful Tool

1. It forces clarity When you know what you’re working toward, it becomes easier to spot what doesn’t belong. Saying no helps sharpen your vision, reinforce your strategy, and avoid the drift that comes from reactive decision-making.

2. It protects your energy As a leader, your energy is one of your most valuable assets. Protecting it isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. If you’re constantly drained by meetings, projects, or decisions that don’t move the needle, you can’t show up fully for the ones that do.

3. It empowers others In business, every time you say no to something that can be delegated, you’re giving someone else the opportunity to grow. That’s how teams scale. That’s how people step up.

4. It sets a standard Saying no to misaligned partnerships, bad fits, or low-ROI distractions shows your team what excellence looks like. It creates a culture that values purpose over busyness.

5. It builds momentum—for the right things Every time you say no to something off-path, you reinforce the discipline that builds long-term momentum. Compound growth isn’t about speed—it’s about direction.

What I’d Tell My Younger Self (and My Kids)

If I could go back and add one more bold, red-inked note to my younger self (the one I wrote about in my last newsletter), it would be this:

“Don’t confuse saying yes with making progress.”

There were seasons I said yes to everything because I thought it made me indispensable. It didn’t. It made me scattered.

There were seasons I felt guilty saying no—to clients, to teammates, to friends. But eventually, I realized that boundaries aren’t barriers—they’re what make high-impact work possible.

In Hey Dad…, I included prompts and questions for young adults to start thinking through this early:

• What do you want to be known for?

• What drains you that doesn’t move you forward?

• What are you willing to say no to… so you can say yes to something better?

These are the same questions I revisit often in my own leadership, as I balance the demands of family, business, and personal growth.

What Are You Saying No To This Quarter?

Saying no isn’t easy—especially in fast-paced industries like commercial real estate, or when you’re early in your career. But over time, it becomes one of the most important tools in your leadership toolbox.

So I’d love to hear from you: What’s one thing you’ve said no to recently—and how did it help you grow? Or… what’s something you wish you had said no to sooner?

As I gear up for the release of my new book, Hey Dad…: Everything You Should Have Learned About Life But Didn’t, I’ve been thinking a lot about the younger version of myself.

The kid fresh out of school trying to land his first job. The young professional chasing the next title without a clue about work-life balance. The entrepreneur learning (often the hard way) how to manage money, motivate people, and stay standing after setbacks.

If I could go back and write a letter to my younger self, it would probably be 30 pages long and mostly bolded in red ink. But since I only have a newsletter’s worth of space, here are just a few things I’d include:

1. Learn the rules of the game before you try to change them. Whether it’s how a mortgage works, how compound interest builds, or how companies actually make money—get the basics down. Don’t outsource your understanding of the things that affect your freedom.
2. The first version of anything—your resume, your pitch, your career—is just a draft. The magic isn’t in the launch; it’s in the refining. Don’t get discouraged when something isn’t perfect. Adjust. Iterate. Move.
3. You’ll never regret asking the extra question. Curiosity will always take you further than charisma. Learn to listen. Really listen. It’s amazing what people will tell you if you’re not just waiting for your turn to talk.
4. Money can solve problems—but only wisdom keeps them from recurring. Make a budget. Stick to it. Understand that living below your means isn’t scarcity—it’s strategy. Save before you splurge. And yes, buy the insurance.
5. Feedback isn’t failure. You’ll be rejected, criticized, overlooked. It happens to everyone. What separates the good from the great is what you do next. Keep your ego in check and let your curiosity out front.
6. Don’t confuse being busy with being effective. The longer your to-do list, the more important it becomes to focus on the right things. Learn to prioritize. Learn to say no. Learn that rest is part of the job.
7. You are the average of your calendar and your conversations. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. And spend time on the things that move the needle. The rest is noise.
8. Life is long—but moments are short. Be present. Celebrate wins. Call your parents. Show up to the game. These are the things that matter 20 years from now.

I wrote Hey Dad… as the book I wish I’d had when I was just starting out. It’s for every young adult who’s navigating life without a playbook—and every parent, mentor, or friend who wants to help, but doesn’t always know how.

The book is filled with lessons along with advice from 30 experts in their field—each offering hard-earned wisdom that doesn’t sugarcoat adulthood but also doesn’t make it feel so overwhelming.

It’s also meant to be personalized. There’s space to write your own notes, your own stories, your own advice. Because sometimes the most meaningful gift you can give someone is a nudge in the right direction—and a reminder that they don’t have to figure it all out alone.

So here’s my question to you: What do you wish you knew at 18? Or 21? Or 25?

Drop your answers in the comments—whether it’s something you learned from experience, or something you wish someone had told you sooner. Who knows… your lesson might just change someone’s trajectory.

Hey Dad… comes out April 29. If you know a young adult who could use a guide—or a little encouragement—it’s a great graduation gift (especially with your wisdom written inside the cover).

Thanks for reading and for always being part of this community. It means more than you know.

Let’s talk about something most people try to avoid: failure. Not just the word, but the experience, the emotions, and especially… the feedback that comes with it.

In commercial real estate, we’re expected to project confidence, make strategic calls, and “win” often. But here’s the truth: you don’t become a strong CRE leader by only chasing wins—you grow by navigating losses with intention.

Some of my most important business lessons didn’t come from the biggest deals or flashiest successes. They came from the deals that fell apart at the eleventh hour, the misjudged risks, the poorly timed moves, or the tough conversations where someone told me I got it wrong.

Those moments? They sting. But if you can learn to embrace that sting, to sit with the discomfort instead of rushing past it, you’ll start to find something invaluable: wisdom.

In my latest book, Hey Dad…, I talk about the kind of advice I want to pass down—not just to my kids, but to the next generation of professionals. One recurring theme is this:

“Don’t fear failure. Learn from it. Respect it. And most importantly—use it.”

That same lesson applies whether you’re managing a national CRE portfolio or leading a small, growing team. Failure—when paired with intentional reflection and honest feedback—isn’t a setback. It’s a building block.

So how do we turn failure into a strategic advantage?

Here are a few hard-earned insights I’ve picked up along the way.

1. Reflect, Don’t React

In CRE, speed matters—but when failure hits, your best move is to pause.

Ask yourself:

• What assumptions did we make?

• What signals did we miss?

• What can we learn from the outcome?

Reflection turns chaos into clarity. Without it, we repeat the same missteps—sometimes dressed up in new deals.

2. Invite Honest Feedback

It’s easy to surround yourself with people who agree with you. But growth? That comes from people who challenge your thinking—respectfully but directly.

Whether it’s your partners, team members, or advisors, create a culture where feedback isn’t feared—it’s expected. And when it comes, listen fully. Don’t defend. Don’t justify. Just absorb.

3. Extract and Apply the Lesson

Failure isn’t useful unless you do something with it. After every tough moment, ask yourself:

• What do I now know that I didn’t before?

• What one thing can I change in my approach, my systems, or my mindset?

Whether it’s updating your underwriting assumptions, adjusting your leadership style, or rethinking a market strategy, let your setbacks directly influence your next step.

4. Model It for Your Team

Your team watches how you respond to failure more than how you celebrate success.  Do you blame others or own your part? Do you shut down or step up? Do you move on quickly, or take time to unpack and learn?

Being transparent about missteps and lessons learned sets the tone for a resilient, self-aware, and high-performing culture.

5. Normalize the Process

CRE is a long game. No matter how experienced or strategic you are, you will face adversity—economic downturns, bad timing, tenant issues, cap rate shifts, regulatory changes.

The question isn’t “Will I fail?”

It’s “How will I respond when I do?”

You can normalize this process by:

• Building time into your review cycles for lessons learned

• Documenting deal outcomes, both good and bad

• Sharing “failure case studies” internally—not to assign blame, but to refine systems and thinking

This isn’t just personal development—it’s strategic growth.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

In Beyond the Building, I write about how the future of CRE is data-driven, tech-forward, and people-powered. But here’s the human truth behind all that innovation and strategy:

We only grow if we’re willing to face the hard stuff.

That includes failure. That includes feedback. That includes holding the mirror up and being willing to say, “Here’s where I fell short. Now what can I do about it?”

As CRE leaders, we owe it to ourselves—and the people we lead—to get stronger through these experiences. To model resilience. To embrace discomfort. To turn tough lessons into forward momentum.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What’s a lesson you’ve learned the hard way in CRE? Was there a time when feedback changed the course of your business—or your leadership?

Drop your story or takeaway in the comments. You never know who you might help by sharing it.

And if you’re looking for more strategies that connect personal growth with professional performance, check out my books Hey Dad… and Beyond the Building. They’re different in tone—but deeply connected in purpose.

If you’ve been in this business long enough, you know the fundamentals don’t change—but the strategy must. We’ve operated in challenging markets before. What makes today’s environment particularly complex is the prolonged uncertainty around monetary policy, combined with rising costs, inconsistent asset performance, and mounting pressure from capital partners to deliver results.

The easy move is to wait. To preserve capital. To delay decisions. But in many cases, that “safe” choice could prove riskier than it seems. Inaction in this environment can quietly erode performance—whether through reduced cashflow, missed refinancing windows, or declining asset value due to deferred investment. The challenge, then, is to identify where real risk exists, and where opportunity is simply hiding behind discomfort.

Start with Understanding Your Real Exposure

Balancing risk starts with knowing exactly where you stand. That means taking a hard look at your debt structure, lease maturity schedules, tenant exposure, and operating performance under current and future rate scenarios.

Tools like business intelligence (BI), artificial intelligence (AI), and human intelligence (HI) work best in tandem here. You need more than just raw data—you need insights informed by experience. These help you model scenarios, assess downside protection, and create frameworks that allow for calculated action, rather than reactive decisions.

Ask yourself:

• How rate-sensitive is my current debt portfolio?
• What refinancing risks will I face in the next 12–18 months?
• How do my operating fundamentals hold up if rates stay elevated through 2025?
• Where am I sitting on idle capital or unleveraged equity?

These questions form the basis for rational, strategic planning in an otherwise emotional market.

Look for Opportunity in the Gaps

Once you have clarity on your exposure, the next step is targeted opportunity identification. In this climate, it’s less about finding perfect deals and more about identifying asymmetrical upside—where the risk is manageable, but the potential returns are significant.

That could mean:

• Acquiring distressed or mismanaged assets where the underwriting remains strong
• Restructuring debt to unlock liquidity or extend runway
• Optimizing operational efficiencies to boost NOI and preserve valuation
• Investing in tech or analytics that improve decision-making at the asset or portfolio level

We’re seeing operators use creative approaches to extend loan terms, optimize cap structures, and even convert risk into leverage with select lenders. Some are choosing to proactively recapitalize projects, while others are taking smaller, high-conviction bets in emerging submarkets or niche asset classes.

The thread that connects all of them? They’re acting with intention—not waiting for the market to make the call for them.

Accepting That Risk Will Always Be Present

One mindset shift I’ve found helpful—both personally and across the companies I’ve built—is this: risk never disappears. It just changes form. High-rate environments come with one kind of risk. Low-rate environments come with another. What sets great operators apart is how they anticipate, measure, and adapt.

In this moment, the priority is to avoid binary thinking. We don’t need to go all-in, and we don’t need to sit on the sidelines. Instead, we need to adopt disciplined flexibility—backed by real-time data and clear strategic goals.

That’s why the most forward-thinking firms I know are investing just as much in their decision-making processes as they are in their actual investments. They’re refining how they gather intel, how they model scenarios, and how they communicate strategy internally and externally.

Final Thoughts: Precision Over Paralysis

The high-rate environment we’re operating in will eventually shift—but how you position yourself today will define how you perform when it does.

So, as you evaluate your own portfolio or organization, consider this: Are you navigating from a place of fear, or from a place of clarity? Can you separate true risk from noise? And are you prepared to seize the right opportunities when they appear?

In today’s ever-evolving business landscape, one principle has become clear: being proactive is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. In an age where markets, economic policies, and industry dynamics change rapidly, the organizations that succeed are those that not only adapt quickly but also anticipate challenges before they even appear. Proactivity is the key to unlocking both long-term growth and short-term success.

In my experience, proactivity is about acting before the market demands it, using data to forecast shifts, and strategically positioning your company for the best possible outcomes. When we talk about being proactive in the context of commercial real estate, it’s not just about responding to external pressures; it’s about creating internal momentum that keeps your organization ahead of the game. Whether it’s anticipating changes in interest rates, adjusting your debt structure before market conditions change, or repositioning your business to meet evolving demand, proactivity is the foundation of successful strategy.

All About Being Proactive

Proactive debt management is a prime example of how businesses can position themselves for success. Instead of waiting until the last minute to refinance or restructure debt, savvy companies anticipate future market shifts, such as rate hikes or economic downturns, and adjust accordingly. Proactive debt management means matching your property’s cashflows with the optimal debt structure, ensuring that debt obligations align with current and future financial conditions. For example, locking in favorable rates before anticipated Fed rate cuts or utilizing forward hedging strategies helps businesses mitigate risk and seize opportunities ahead of competitors. Furthermore, regularly assessing and optimizing your debt portfolio to reflect the evolving market ensures that your financial strategy supports broader business objectives, fostering long-term stability and growth.

But it doesn’t stop with finance. Operational proactivity is just as critical. In today’s world, we have access to an unprecedented amount of data—from market conditions to customer behavior to internal financial performance. Using business intelligence (BI), artificial intelligence (AI), and human intelligence (HI) allows us to make data-driven decisions that keep our businesses agile and ahead of any market disruption. Whether it’s streamlining workflows, optimizing cashflow, or reducing costs, being proactive means continuously using these insights to make adjustments that keep your company running smoothly.

In terms of growth strategies, being proactive means identifying opportunities before they become obvious. Strategic acquisitions, entering new markets, or leveraging emerging technologies require foresight. Proactive leaders know that success is about positioning themselves where the market is headed, not where it is right now. They’re constantly scanning the horizon for new trends and opportunities and have the foresight to act before others even recognize the shift. Whether it’s adjusting your company’s portfolio to align with new customer preferences or embracing new technologies that streamline operations, proactive businesses are always planning several steps ahead.

Lastly, proactive leadership is crucial in driving these strategies forward. Leaders who adopt a proactive approach foster a company-wide mindset of innovation and agility. By aligning their team around a shared vision and empowering them to anticipate challenges, leaders create a resilient culture that doesn’t just survive disruption but thrives in the face of it. Proactive leadership involves not just making decisions based on data but also continuously reevaluating the environment and adjusting strategies. It’s about thinking outside the box and addressing problems before they become issues. It’s about taking calculated risks, knowing that uncertainty can be an opportunity, and trusting your team to adapt quickly.

Next Steps

In today’s fast-paced, constantly changing world, organizations that embrace a proactive mindset don’t just succeed—they lead the way. The companies that thrive will be those who anticipate change, embrace innovation, and stay one step ahead of competitors. As we look to the future, remember that being proactive is the key to unlocking your organization’s potential and staying ahead of the curve.

What steps are you taking to implement a proactive strategy in your organization? How have you seen proactivity drive success for your team or company?

As we move further into 2025, it’s more important than ever to recognize that the market is constantly evolving. The pace of change—be it technological advancements, market dynamics, regulatory shifts, or client expectations—has never been faster. The ability to adapt and stay relevant in this ever-evolving landscape requires a commitment to continuous learning.

In commercial real estate, this principle is particularly crucial. Whether you’re an investor, developer, broker, or operator, staying ahead of the curve through continuous learning can make all the difference in maintaining your competitive edge and achieving sustained success.

Why Continuous Learning Matters

1. Adapting to Market Shifts: The real estate market is in a constant state of flux. From fluctuating interest rates to new regulations or emerging technologies, staying informed allows you to anticipate market changes before they hit. Being proactive rather than reactive helps you make smarter decisions, position your assets better, and stay resilient during economic uncertainty.
2. Leveraging New Technologies: Technology is reshaping industries, and CRE is no exception. Innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and automation tools are transforming how we analyze data, make decisions, and manage properties. Those who fail to learn how to integrate these technologies risk falling behind. Continuous learning empowers you to leverage new tools that drive efficiencies and improve results.
3. Enhancing Strategic Thinking: By consistently learning, you can build a more comprehensive understanding of market trends, investment strategies, and business practices. This knowledge doesn’t just help you react to market conditions—it helps you think strategically, enabling you to create innovative solutions and stay ahead of your competitors.
4. Attracting and Retaining Top Talent: In an industry where people are the driving force behind success, fostering a culture of learning within your organization is key. Teams that prioritize learning are more engaged, adaptable, and productive. When employees see that you are committed to helping them grow professionally, they are more likely to stay loyal to your business, which in turn reduces turnover and increases performance.
5. Long-Term Career Growth: For those of us in leadership roles, continuous learning is not just a business strategy; it’s a personal one too. The more you learn, the more you grow as a professional and as a leader. From expanding your expertise to adapting to new industry standards, ongoing education is essential for advancing your career and building a legacy in the field.

How to Cultivate a Learning Mindset

1. Commit to Regular Education: Whether it’s through industry conferences, online courses, books, or podcasts, make learning a part of your routine. Allocate specific time for personal development each week.
2. Foster a Learning Culture: Encourage your teams to invest in their professional growth. Create an environment where asking questions and seeking new knowledge is celebrated. This can be done through mentorship, training programs, or offering resources for self-paced learning.
3. Stay Curious: Embrace curiosity. Read industry reports, follow thought leaders, and be proactive in seeking new perspectives. Continuous learning starts with the desire to know more, whether it’s about market trends, technology, or leadership.
4. Be Open to Change: It’s easy to fall into routines, but innovation thrives in environments that embrace change. Be open to adjusting your strategies and workflows based on new information and learnings. Flexibility will be your greatest asset.

The Bottom Line

In an ever-evolving market, continuous learning isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Those who prioritize ongoing education are better equipped to navigate change, seize opportunities, and lead in their fields. Whether you’re learning new technologies, understanding market shifts, or building leadership skills, the pursuit of knowledge will fuel your success and help you stay ahead of the competition.

As we move forward into 2025 and beyond, I encourage you to reflect on your own learning journey. What new skills or insights do you plan to pursue this year? How are you integrating learning into your daily practices?

In commercial real estate, setbacks, mistakes, and things not going according to plan are inevitable. Whether it’s a project that underperforms, a market shift that wasn’t anticipated, or a decision that didn’t yield the expected return, failure can feel like a roadblock. But instead of letting failure define us, we can choose to turn it into one of our most powerful tools for future success. This is something I’ve witnessed firsthand in the industry, and I believe that when approached correctly, failure can be a transformative opportunity.

In CRE, failure doesn’t have to be a dead-end; it can be a stepping stone to even greater things. The key is learning from the experience, adjusting your approach, and using that knowledge to take smarter, more calculated risks moving forward.

Here’s why embracing failure is vital to success:

1) Failure Cultivates Resilience

Commercial real estate is a high-stakes industry, full of uncertainty. Decisions are often based on variables we cannot control—market trends, interest rates, global factors. Despite the best strategies, things won’t always go as planned. But resilience is what allows us to weather these storms. The real power of resilience lies in the ability to bounce back, adjust your strategy, and continue moving forward with renewed clarity. Resilience, forged in the fire of failure, is what helps us transform setbacks into future opportunities.

When we go through failures, we develop the ability to roll with the punches, stay focused on long-term goals, and not get bogged down by immediate challenges. That’s the mindset shift that makes all the difference in CRE—failure doesn’t stop us; it strengthens us for the journey ahead.

2) Learning from Mistakes Leads to Smarter Decisions

It’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing mistakes and failures as personal shortcomings or missed opportunities. But when we approach failure from a growth perspective, we unlock a treasure trove of insights. Each failure is a lesson, a map guiding us to make better decisions the next time. In CRE, this means learning from past investments that didn’t pan out or transactions that didn’t meet projected returns.

The best CRE professionals don’t just make smarter decisions—they make better decisions faster because they’ve learned from previous mistakes. They evaluate what went wrong, pinpoint key takeaways, and apply those lessons to future deals. So rather than fearing failure, we need to embrace it as an opportunity to refine our decision-making process and accelerate our learning curve. By doing so, we reduce the chances of making the same mistake twice.

3) Failure Encourages Innovation and Creativity

Sometimes, failure is the spark that ignites creativity. In CRE, when one approach doesn’t work, it forces us to innovate. Whether it’s adjusting the structure of a deal, rethinking an investment strategy, or finding new ways to reduce costs and increase efficiency, adversity encourages us to think outside the box.

I’ve seen companies push through failure and come up with groundbreaking solutions that may not have been considered if they hadn’t hit a wall. Necessity is the mother of invention, after all. When something doesn’t go as planned, we’re pushed to find new ways to solve problems, opening doors to innovative solutions that might otherwise have remained closed.

4) Building a Culture That Embraces Failure

As leaders in the CRE industry, we have a responsibility to create a culture where failure is seen as an opportunity for growth, not something to be feared. When we build an environment that encourages risk-taking and learning from setbacks, we cultivate stronger, more resilient teams. A team that’s not afraid to fail is a team that’s willing to innovate, collaborate, and push boundaries.

When failure is seen as a natural part of the process, employees feel more empowered to experiment and take calculated risks. The result? A dynamic, forward-thinking company that can quickly adapt to market changes and seize new opportunities. In CRE, where the landscape is always shifting, this adaptability is essential for long-term success.

5) The Power of Failing Forward

In CRE, it’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t go according to plan. But here’s the truth: you’re not really failing unless you give up. Embracing failure as a part of your journey means failing forward—learning from mistakes and using them to propel yourself toward your goals. By doing this, you unlock a mindset of continual improvement and progress, and every setback becomes part of your eventual success.

This mindset is what drives the best in CRE—those who are constantly evaluating and adapting, pushing through temporary setbacks, and finding better, smarter ways to do business. Failure is a teacher, and if we learn its lessons, we can go further, faster.

6) Turning Adversity Into Advantage

The road to success in CRE is rarely a straight line. Instead, it’s filled with bumps, detours, and challenges. The difference between those who succeed and those who struggle is often their ability to turn adversity into advantage. When you experience a setback, assess it with a clear mind, understand the lessons it offers, and use that knowledge to adjust your strategy and move forward stronger. Each failure brings with it a chance to grow, adapt, and refine your approach.

What challenges have you faced in CRE, and how have you turned them into opportunities?

In today’s fast-paced market, having a clear focus on what truly drives success is essential. But it’s not enough to have high-level goals. We need to ensure that every team member, regardless of role or department, understands the mission and how their actions contribute to achieving it. This is where OKRs and KPIs come into play. By implementing these frameworks, businesses can ensure alignment, drive accountability, and measure performance in real-time.

Why OKRs and KPIs Matter

OKRs give you a roadmap for success. They outline your organization’s most important goals and set measurable outcomes to track progress toward achieving them. By providing clear direction and focus, OKRs make sure everyone understands what needs to be done, why it’s important, and how they can contribute to its success.

On the other hand, KPIs are the pulse of your day-to-day operations. These metrics help track the specific actions and behaviors that drive your OKRs. KPIs are about monitoring performance in real-time, making it easier for teams to identify roadblocks or opportunities before they become bigger issues. The right KPIs ensure that your team’s actions are always aligned with the broader objectives of the company.

When used together, OKRs and KPIs help create a seamless connection between strategic goals and tactical actions, ensuring that everyone is not only on the same page, but also working towards the same mission.

OKRs and KPIs in Action

Consider a commercial real estate firm aiming to increase its property portfolio and improve tenant retention. A strategic objective might be to “Increase leasing rates by 15% over the next quarter.” This objective is clear, measurable, and time-bound, making it an ideal candidate for an OKR. The key results to track this objective might include increasing occupancy rates by a specific percentage and achieving a tenant satisfaction score of 90% or higher.

KPIs for this objective could include the number of leases signed, average lease duration, or response time to tenant inquiries. By focusing on these KPIs, the teams directly involved in tenant relations and leasing will have actionable metrics that tie back to the overall goal. The KPIs become the vehicle that helps your team drive results while the OKRs provide the roadmap.

Practical Steps to Implement OKRs and KPIs

1. Set Clear, Actionable Objectives:Start by identifying your most important goals. Ensure they are specific, measurable, and achievable within a set timeframe. These objectives should challenge your team but be attainable with the right resources.
2. Define Key Results:Each objective needs key results that clearly indicate when the goal has been achieved. These results should be quantifiable, such as “Increase revenue by 10%” or “Achieve 90% customer satisfaction.”
3. Establish KPIs:KPIs track the actions that drive the key results. For instance, if your objective is to increase revenue, your KPIs might include the number of new clients acquired, the percentage of repeat business, or lead conversion rates.
4. Align and Engage Your Teams:Make sure every department, team, and individual understands the OKRs and KPIs, and knows how their work contributes to achieving them. This creates a culture of collaboration, alignment, and accountability.
5. Monitor and Adjust:OKRs and KPIs are not static. They need to be continuously tracked and adjusted based on performance and changing market conditions. Regular check-ins and evaluations are critical for maintaining momentum and adapting to challenges.

Why OKRs and KPIs Are a Game-Changer

In an environment of constant change, it’s essential for organizations to not only set strategic goals but to also have the right metrics in place to track performance and adjust tactics accordingly. OKRs and KPIs give your teams the clarity, focus, and real-time insight they need to drive success.

When implemented correctly, OKRs and KPIs can serve as the foundation for a high-performance culture. They help individuals understand how their work contributes to larger company goals, creating alignment and motivation throughout the organization. Teams become more agile, more focused, and more committed to achieving the shared mission.

Moving Forward with Confidence

As we begin to navigate 2025, embracing OKRs and KPIs can empower your team to stay focused, adapt quickly, and achieve measurable success. These frameworks are powerful tools for aligning your team and achieving consistent results, whether you’re navigating market uncertainty or pursuing ambitious growth objectives.