12 days ago we were fortunate to host a Charity Luncheon with Brad Lamb. For fans of Canadian television channels like HGTV or those of you in the real estate world, chances are that you know who he is.

The man has sold over 4.1 Billion Dollars in Real Estate. He has over 1600 condominium units under construction with several more promising projects coming later this year and with a hit TV show he is undoubtedly our very own Canadian version of Donald Trump.

Spending the day with Brad expanded my context. From the moment we picked him up at the airport to making sure Brad had everything he needed while in Winnipeg to seeing him off back to Toronto. There was much to learn. After the event, once the media buzz died down and the attendees had left I was granted a rare few moments alone (between everything else going on that day )with my thoughts.

Thinking back now, there were 6 key lessons I picked up from Brad.

1. 1.    Find a trend and follow it through

Brad identified a trend and saw where the real estate market was going in Toronto before most. Most importantly, he stuck with it. 3 recessions and 20 plus years later and Brad is still on top. Why? Because trends ( especially in Real Estate ) do not just happen overnight. Think about how many people you know jump from industry to industry or job to job looking for that quick score. It takes focus, tenacity and a certain amount of optimism to make it through the darkest of days.

1. 2.    Specialize in what you do.

Brad became a realtor in a market swelling with competition and already established players. He focused, found the best mentors available, paid his dues and has gone on to become the best. Had he sold everything and anything he came across just to make a commission ( like many people in sales do ) he would not have made the name ( and now Brand ) for himself that he has.  Brad proves that you can create a niche for yourself in any industry, no matter the size.

1. 3.    Be yourself, don’t pull any punches

Observing Brad throughout the day, whether we were at CJOB for the morning interview, overhearing him doing deals on his cell phone as we drove through downtown or his stage mannerisms and presence. He was the same “Brad” all throughout. Direct, respectful, calculated in his wording ( well most of the time ) and aired confidence when speaking about his business and buildings. So many people wear different “hats” in the course of a day, it was refreshing to see that kind of consistency throughout.  

1. 4.    Don`t bet the farm

Brad is never the first developer into an area and he never builds bigger than he knows he can sell. Many developers get caught up in the success of their past accomplishments and take that as a sign for subsequent projects to become grander and more ego driven than what makes business sense. Brad has been in the game for over two decades and wins because he never bets the farm.

1. 5.    Learn to embrace criticism

Although there wasn’t any at the event ( an optimistic thought ), spending a day with Brad made me think about how being in the public eye opens you up to all sorts of public opinion. Brad, like other public figures I’ve gotten to know over the years all have one thing in common. They are too focused on their goals and ambitions to have what “others” might think sway them from taking action. Many times it doesn’t even cross their minds that people will have a opinion, good or bad because ( in this case ) in Brad’s mind the city officials/people/neighbours/other developers etc should be happy that he is building this development. Every successful public figure I’ve met and grown to know has learnt to accept criticism as part of their position in business/life and get on with it. Most people never strike out on their own or go for what they really want to do because they are terrified of what people will think OR even worse...what they will say.

1. 6.    Spend time with people that want you to succeed

The biggest difference between successful people like Brad and everyone else is the amount of people that they surround themselves with that want to see them win. When we were all conversing in the car between stops I realized that every topic was centered around solutions and opportunities. There was 5 of us in the car and everyone was generous with ideas and plans on how this and that could get done. From my perspective, I`ve noticed that the wealthiest people I`ve ever had the opportunity to work with base their businesses around collaboration and want everyone involved to win. They all push each other and keep each other accountable . When Brad spoke he was very open with the audience about ideas for Winnipeg and where he would start if he were here and what he would do to get the ball rolling. He could have easily hoarded the information and made deals to solely benefit him. Truly successful people believe in abundance and want to see others do well.

Spending time with Brad has given me a new perspective in my personal life as well as our operations at The Blueprint Group. For those of you who attended, please feel free to email me any lessons you picked up that were unique to you. My email is marcin.drozdz@blueprintinc.ca