The four stages of life:
- You believe in Santa Claus.
- You don’t believe in Santa Claus.
- You are Santa Claus.
- You look like Santa Claus.
As commercial real estate brokers, we are asked to wear a lot of hats and be a lot of things to a lot of people. As great salespeople it is our job to find middle ground and consensus. Unfortunately, in this digital age of 1’s and 0’s and Fox or MSNBC, the middle ground perspective has almost dissolved. As leaders and deal makers we must be among the leading few not the mediocre many.
This year we have seen more challenges than most – a surprise election, nuclear threats in Iran and North Korea, natural disasters in Houston, Florida and Northern California, a polarized people and press.
As many of you know each year I write this holiday letter to express my thanks for working with a great community of owners, tenants, and community leaders. I also like to leave you with a story of hope for the coming year. This year I would encourage all of you to soldier on, but I would like to challenge all of you to use your “salesperson toolbox” outside of the workplace to try and find more middle ground in our community. Use your skills and gifts to defuse hate, find consensus, give compliments and help others feel appreciated. At a time when we are worried about artificial intelligence and big data putting us and our clients out of business, you need to realize that technology and your relationship with it will facilitate unthinkable opportunity and growth or keep you on the wrong side of average (If you haven’t read it, I would highly recommend you read, “The Whole New Mind” by Daniel Pink – I have never dog eared a book more!).
I also learned a new lesson this year (in case you think an old dog can’t learn new tricks). I assume you are like me and open most calls or meetings with the proverbial ‘How are you doing?’ and like most of us give or receive a “good” or “fine.” I recently learned that if you move that same question to the end of the call, meeting or text message, you get an entirely different answer. People open up, you connect, people feel appreciated and you have more real friendships (It’s a hard habit to change but that is what 2018 is for!).
We at CDC Commercial want to thank all of you for the opportunity to do business with you and build our relationship.. In the meantime, let someone know how much you appreciate them. #grateful
Hope you enjoy the story….
Happy Holidays!
Team CDC Commercial
Don Zech, Nick Zech, Matt Orth, Cheryl Pace
An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture.
After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno’s damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother’s wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.
She could have flow to safety but had refused to abandon her babies.
When the blaze had arrived, and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast.
Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live. “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge” (Psalm 91:4).
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life.
Remember you are loved and then be different because of it.
