Real estate agents are often the face of the industry, but they wouldn't get far without the brilliant minds working behind the scenes. These are the leaders who keep the entire operation running smoothly with their exceptional administrative and operational skills.
Today, I’m joined by three incredible women who have mastered this crucial space: Sherrie Porter, Melissa Ryan, and Stephanie Wolf. They'll share their insights and expertise on what it takes to lead in the real estate industry, from the front office to the back end.
Grab your cafecito and join us as we explore how a blend of operational excellence and strategic vision creates a foundation for success.
Meet The Leaders
Breaking the Mold: Three Different Journeys into Real Estate
- Sherry shares her 38-year journey from an entry-level role to COO, highlighting the relationship-driven nature of real estate and her experience in both residential and operational leadership.
- Melissa discusses her transition from real estate law to a multifaceted executive role, overseeing property management, legal, and operational functions for thousands of agents.
- Stephanie recounts her unique entry into escrow, emphasizing California’s apprenticeship model and her path from entry-level to managing multiple branches.
Defining Leadership Styles
- Each of the ladies describes their views on a people-centered approach:
- Stephanie focuses on pragmatism, advocacy, and making sure “people matter.”
- Sherry emphasizes servant leadership, strategic thinking, and leading by example.
- Melissa prioritizes a “people first” mindset, ensuring culture and operational efficiency go hand in hand.
Building a Culture of Belonging and Support
- Melissa emphasizes the powerful impact of putting people where their passions and strengths align. Her strategy is less about implementing a single system and more about intentionally understanding what excites each team member.
- Stephanie underscores the importance of teamwork and an inclusive, collaborative culture across her organization. She credits much of their success to intentionally breaking down silos between departments and operational “core services” (such as escrow and sales).
- Sherry Porter focuses on maximizing each person’s unique strengths and maintaining a mindset of continuous growth and adaptability. She uses insights from books like Marcus Buckingham’s Now, Discover Your Strengths to intentionally place people in positions where they naturally excel.
Supporting & Elevating Women
- Stephanie shares how in Southern California, that 87% of escrow branch leaders are women. Her company actively promotes and uplifts women as they grow in their careers by offering training classes, advisory committees, and brainstorming sessions.There’s a culture of supporting women at all career stages, so they have opportunities to participate, learn, and advance.
- Sherry is intentional about seeking out and building a bench of future leaders, especially as her organization experiences changes among top leadership. She empowers women by challenging them, giving them opportunities, and offering her support—focusing on questions that get to the heart of what might help women move forward or get “unstuck.”
- Melissa believes women in leadership must take responsibility for building a bench of future women leaders. She directly supports women in her organization—though not through a formal mentorship program, she actively identifies talent and provides growth and learning opportunities so women can step into bigger roles.
Recommended Resources & Inspiration
- Stephanie mentioned her admiration for Simon Sinek, quoting, "We have the luxury of looking after ourselves, but we have the honor of looking after each other," which reflects her value of team and collective success. She also follows Mel Robbins for motivation and recommended Mary Claire Haver, a Texas-based doctor who leads a revolution for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.
- Melissa highlighted the book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," emphasizing the importance of having a growth mindset, especially in times of industry change.
- Sherry Porter recommended the book "Now, Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham. She also talked about "The Power of Moments" by Chip and Dan Heath.
When you help another woman rise, we all shine. And that’s how we make an impact. So, let’s build each other up and shine brighter than the sun. For more great content from Teresa, connect with her on LinkedIn, join her Women Who Lead Series on Facebook, and subscribe to her YouTube channel. You can find more episodes of Women Who Lead on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else podcasts can be found.
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