In 2017,
many corporations tout “open door policies” and a lack of “executive titles” to
establish the culture of the office workplace. The new modern office curriculum
includes a level of transparency and openness to new ideas unlike previous
workplaces in history.
If you work
in such an environment, congratulations, you are very lucky. To be led by true visionaries is an
exceptional, sometime fleeting moment in any person’s career.
I have never
forgotten the feeling of “being heard” by Dan Gilbert the first week of my
career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In
previous careers and offices, I had always had what I believed to be “good
ideas”, but they were squashed with red tape, budget minders and process
followers before they were even presented.
Dan Gilbert,
legendary owner of The Cleveland Cavaliers, founder of Quicken Loans, was
different. For those who have had the
opportunity to learn his business “ISM’s”, it is clear to see how he envisions
a “from the bottom” approach to running his family of companies.
After
leaving the Cavaliers Organization in 2012, I was afraid that I may never find
another team to work with that shared the same approach. I took several steps back and decided to
reenter the world of property management, a previous career, from the very
bottom.
In June 2015
I landed with Redwood Living, a young apartment management company that is
thriving and growing at a tremendous rate nationwide. As a leasing professional, I was tasked with
showing model apartments and closing leases in the Columbus, OH region. I was thrilled with the position and loved
helping people find new homes.
And then the
idea struck….
Sometime in
July 2015, just one month into my new career, I had an idea for how to approach
a new national corporation that was moving to a location nearby. In my mind, it made all the sense in the
world to proactively approach this business and offer them an incentive to
drive their new employee base towards Redwood Living when they transferred to
the area. I brought this opportunity to the attention of Kris Conwill, COO of
Redwood Living Inc. when I met him briefly later that month.
For the
second time in my career history, someone heard me. That’s right…me. The person
in perhaps the lowest rung of the totem pole of the entire organization… I was
heard. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Much is said
of great leaders, and we all have our favorites. Mine are both historical and those living in
my everyday life. As Dan Gilbert states
in his “ISM’s in Action” book, “Being a leader doesn’t give you the right for
perks, it gives you the right to motivate others”.
My ability
to identify a gap in Redwood Livings current business plan and change it has
been successful, in most part, for the simple fact that Kris Conwill heard me,
believed in me, and made others listen. He
gave me the opportunity to follow my instinct and thus carve a new career for
myself.
The ideas
that will bring your organization to the next level may already be out there in
the minds of your current team. Put down
the spreadsheets, close your laptop and use your ears. Give audience to anyone on your team, even
briefly, and LISTEN to what they have to say.
Be open to new ideas. Reward passion and allow it to be followed.
My career
thus far with Redwood Living has blossomed into a new level of job
satisfaction, challenge and balance that I have never known to be
possible. I am grateful for the past
leadership that has brought me to this place, and forever thankful to the
Redwood Living Leadership Team for hearing me.
*Written by Amy Litten, Leasing-Professional-Turned-Corporate-Outreach-Specialist for Redwood Living
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