Guidance: Fostering Development through Nurturing Development
Your essential connections in commercial real estate are your most precious assets, and for me, numerous significant relationships were forged through guidance.
As a person of color delving into an industry predominantly occupied by whites, having a guide to share their insights and connections is a game-changer. Let's discuss why mentoring promotes individual development and significantly impacts the commercial real estate narrative.
Support Each Other and See Success
I've been fortunate enough to be guided by industry legends like Roy Ludwig. Roy, with his strong belief in equality, actively advocated for Black individuals in the industry. Roy once shared that God instructed him to mentor ten Black men and persuade ten white associates to do the same. Roy silently made significant strides in promoting diversity just by doing what he thought was right.
I also felt compelled to propagate opportunities and enhance diversity by mentoring racially diverse individuals interested in commercial real estate. My firm being primarily Black is unique in the industry.
Thanks to the opportunities generated by mentorship, I am committed to uplifting all my employees, helping them seize opportunities they might have missed. The mentor-mentee relationship consistently proved to be a mutually beneficial chance for learning and growth.
Beyond Classroom Learning
I encountered one of my first mentors, David Schwartz, during his lectures at Georgia State. Schwartz's renown preceded him, and by the conclusion of my first class, I knew he would motivate me to achieve my goals. He wrote the influential book "The Magic of Thinking Big," which I began reading immediately. When not in class, I spent every spare moment engaging with Schwartz and learning from him.
I met Schwartz in an academic setting, but even as a student, I recognized that mentoring held benefits beyond the classroom.
A trustworthy mentor can provide practical advice and lessons based on their experiences. They can share their niche expertise, market insights, and best practices. While education prepares you in numerous ways, having a mentor dedicated to sharing their knowledge and contributing to your success can be more valuable than a degree.
Overcoming Challenges through Experience
Every mentor (and mentee) brings their unique experiences to the table. From childhood memories to experiences at work, our individual experiences form our perspectives and guide us in various situations.
Facing difficulties, it is invaluable to gain perspective from a mentor. Access to their previous experiences and wisdom can provide you with an advantage. Mentors can also benefit from the fresh perspective that comprehending a mentee's experiences offers.
Identity plays a vital role in one's professional life. Our industry still requires significant improvement in representing diversity, and, in commercial real estate, being a person of color often means entering rooms filled with people who don't resemble you.
Authentically presenting yourself in that environment can be challenging. Without a doubt, a person of color will experience it differently than a white person would. Having a mentor who has faced the identical identity-related challenges can be exceptionally valuable and encouraging.
Personal Growth and Industry Progress
I firmly believe that my purpose is to create opportunities for individuals who look like me to excel within the commercial real estate industry. People of color are significantly underrepresented in the industry, and my journey serves as evidence that Black success is not a rarity here. I want to inspire others to enter this industry and achieve the same success, a goal exponentially achieved by mentorship.
The benefits of individual and industry-level mentorship can't be overstated. A mentee seeking guidance enriches their personal growth. A mentor helping underrepresented groups significantly impacts diversity and fosters widespread positive growth.
By supporting others, we can continue cultivating success cycles and pave the way for future generations to contribute their narratives to this evolving story.
In the context of your experiences, mentorship proved to be an invaluable resource for overcoming challenges in the predominantly white commercial real estate industry. Having a mentor like Roy Ludwig, who championed equal opportunities, opened doors and provided valuable insights. Additionally, the mentorship you provided to racially diverse individuals has contributed significantly to promoting diversity and individual development within the industry.
