The Commercial Real Estate Revolution

Most of us will have an opportunity to pause, be with family and reflect on 2009.

Some will unfortunately feel pressed, alone and or will have shifted their worries to 2010.

If your world hasn’t been shaken in the last 18 months you certainly know people who have had their world turned upside down.

Our family wishes you a kind of peace and joy that transcends your challenges and worries about tomorrow.  We truly feel for those who have been hit hard by life over the past few years. All of us know friends and colleagues in architecture, real estate, construction and manufacturing who have lost their jobs and companies that have closed their doors. There is good reason to wonder what 2010 will bring.

Our family hasn’t been immune to the turmoil from the outside and the inside. These times have, however, have deepened our faith, strengthened friendships and provided hope because of the first two.

The world has celebrated with incredible variety a miracle birth that changed the world, a miracle of lights lasting beyond its source of oil and a celebration of heritage. When we layer back all of the preparation, activity and expense each of these holidays finds its power in an original truth:

1. There is new beginning available to each of us everyday
2. There is a source beyond our expectations but getting there is guarded by obstacles
3. Our heritage is sacred and full of meaning

Take a moment to consider this timely quote by Margaret Wheatley:

We cannot know the future… but we can prepare for it by knowing each other.

I have run across many this year who have become so focused on the scale of their challenges they lost sight of the importance of the relationships within their organization and even more importantly those outside. In The Commercial Real Estate Revolution I share that the quality of our solutions is directly related to the quality of our interactions. The quality of our interactions is a product of the quality of our relationships. More and better relationships = more and better solutions. The habit of many leaders, however, is to pull back and to try to figure IT out. Even more so in tough and even confounding times.

For those who recognize that they may fall into a “pull-back” and figure it out category I recommend reading my new favorite book of the month: The Age of the Unthinkable.

A wide and diverse circle of relationships brings new perspectives, will challenge your assumptions, open doors, connects the dots and provides a needed and continual source of encouragement, as well as a kick in the pants if necessary.

One of my goals for 2010 is to continue to build my circle of relationships  – even deeper.

I hope you have time to reach out to some friends who are struggling. The challenges of the world and the extraordinary circumstances of our times have uprooted many and they do appreciate knowing that others care.

If you or someone you know is looking for work, I’ve created a web page to post their resumes. If you send a resume, I’ll post it. Please remember to send the link below to anyone you know who is hiring – there are many firms doing well and growing. We can be the eyes and ears for many and a source of encouragement.

Here is the link: CLICK HERE

I hope you have time to listen to or watch something truly inspirational. Emotions are stirred this time of year. They are not far beneath the surface of our expressions. Those core emotions simply need a nudge and they’ll come forth and offer a new window into ones soul.

I hope you’ll have time to gather with some old friends and some new friends. One for remembrance and the other for discovery.

I hope you’ll have time to write down a few lessons learned for 2009 and some aspirations for 2010. Without a rudder its impossible to steer and without a vision its impossible to navigate and stay the course.

What do you like to read or who do you like to listen to that challenges your assumptions, provides a compass for your life or shows you the possibilities ahead?

If you haven’t found something inspirational to watch and listen I’ve attached this Youtube introduction to Susan Boyle. She is the British singer who surprised and shocked an audience on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent. It has some personal meaning for me. A little over two years ago I was given an opportunity to tackle a project that many felt was valuable but few thought would accomplish much. That all changed on Monday, October 12th.

Peace on earth to men of goodwill!