An open letter to my staff and agents:

The key to building and effectively running a successful business is making sure you have the right people.

Nothing is more paramount.
Nothing!

Not all people are created equal in the eyes of a business, because people (just like companies) have different goals and values.

My staff and agents ARE our brand.

We have common interests.
We share our ideas.
We embrace our culture of transparency.
We innovate.
We understand that our business has evolved.
We respect integrity.
We work for the client. Tirelessly.

The power of a brand is more adversely affected by a lack of one these things than it is strengthened by the presence of some of them.
Knowing that someone is there in your corner, representing a common interest and vision is powerful.

Thank you for having my back!

Frank Lloyd Wright and Ralph Walker, two architectural masters.

Disclaimer: I am not an architect.

A GREAT architect is both artist and craftsman.

Art is subjective.
Craftsmanship is not.
An artist’s calling is to express, evoke and innovate.
A craftsman’s (or artisan’s) is to design, and to create form and function.
It is rare to find one who can combine both effectively.

The great architects that I have worked with that manage to combine both effectively leave their egos at the door. Their agenda is not to create a personal expression, but rather to achieve the highest level of design, form and function for the end user. They have a deep respect for history, but their work is current. Ironically, by successfully achieving this, they create intrinsic value that is a fingerprint of their work.

The attribute I respect most in a great architect is their ability to design from the inside out. Residential buildings need to be livable. There are too many buildings constructed that have a deceptive exterior and a disconnected interior. These buildings may have a definitive facade, but the interiors offer homes with layouts that are incongruous.

How does this happen?

All too often, the merits of an architect are based on successful self-branding and business acumen – not artisan artistry!