Lessons Learned

Over the past 3 months, I have been fortunate enough to have some remarkable conversations with some extraordinary executives. I am privileged to be the daughter of a man who has built a network some would pay millions for. What I will say is if you're privileged with connections, use them, otherwise what was the point in that parent/relative/mentor working years to build the empire? So that's exactly what I did. Over dinners, coffees, cocktails, late night phone calls, and a few heart to hearts, I learned some really incredible stuff.

I feel compelled to share because it was a privilege to be on the receiving end of these lessons learned. And who knows, maybe someone out there will be better for hearing this:

My dinner with Joe Lozowski left me with a textbook of wisdom, but I will share one piece of advice I think a lot of peers my age need to hear. I asked him something he did that has made him the CEO he is today. He told me that in his career, when he saw something that needed fixing, no matter how big or small the challenge may be, he wanted to learn how to fix it. If he wanted to run a company one day, he needed to know how to fix all the little things; how could he ask someone to do it better if hadn't tried to do it better himself? Just in my first few weeks in my new role, I have asked to take on any challenge my boss throws my way; if we're going to be good at anything we do, and climb to the top, we must know how to fix all the "little" things. It will make us a better, more patient leader.

Stephan Tow has been a family friend and neighbor for years. He has taken me under his wing as he helps guide me through financial planning, career moves, and every dinner we have a feel stronger and empowered. One dinner, over tacos and margaritas, he told me I could do anything I wanted to do, but I would only be great if I loved my work. Which had me really look intrinsically at myself. I know my work ethic, I know my stamina; I will always work hard and produce good work. But loving what I do, now that will make my work really good, great even. I know a handful of people in my life who could use that advice. Life's too short, isn't it?

Deborah Allen, a woman I am lucky to look up to as a mentor, took me to a networking event as her +1. As a woman entering a male dominated industry, I looked to her for guidance, because as women, we will have different obstacles my male role models will never experience. That night when I said with pride I was going into commercial real estate as a broker, it was shocking how many people responded "that's great, but you know it's going to be really difficult for you". She pulled me aside and told me to plant my feet and respond "I didn't expect it to be easy, that's why I took the job". I think about that advice regularly; nothing worth being proud of was ever easy. I don't want my legacy to be created on the easy things. Can a legacy even be created on the easy things? To my ladies out there, we can do all the things the boys can do. Something all of us need to remember.

Just yesterday evening Dave Toomey reminded me the 3 questions any executive asks when making a business decision: "Can I trust you? Are you capable? Do I like you?". Sounds obvious, no? Earn your stripes, work your hardest, and be a good person, and people will want to do business with you. Crazy how many sales people only focus on 1, or 2, but not all 3 of these points. All 3 points are necessary in any business relationship. All 3 points are necessary in building a network worth being proud of.

I will end with my dad, my favorite guy, Mitchel Zelinger: "Your network is equal to your net worth". I have seen beautiful friendships form, exciting sales get closed, friends become family, and have read dozens of beautiful messages sent to my father because he has worked tirelessly to build a strong, respected, loving network. It is directly correlated to the life he has provided my family. So here I am, building my own network. Got to make sure the Zelinger name continues to impact people's lives. Always be networking. An abundant life is connected to the company you keep.

Take on all the tough jobs, love what you do, don't take the easy road, the three essential questions, and the value of your network.

 Thanks for reading.