Earn Respect by Fearlessly Supporting Others

A Year of Fearless Ethical Leadership – IJCRE Blog Series By John Coe

Collaborative Respect and Contribution

Let me tell you something you won’t find in a textbook or an earnings report: Respect isn’t earned through transactions. It’s earned through generosity—through fearlessly showing up for others, whether or not there’s anything in it for you.

I’ve been in this business long enough to see it all. And what sticks? Isn’t the guy who closed the biggest deal. It’s the one who answered the call when things were falling apart. The one who took time. The one who gave freely.

That’s what fearless support looks like.

This Industry Remembers How You Show Up

If you’re withholding help because you think it makes you “valuable,” you’re confusing scarcity with strength. True leadership means giving support without needing to center yourself. It means mentoring someone who's still learning. It means listening without planning your next sentence.

And above all, it means putting people first—consistently.

Real Icons, Real Examples

Let me give you a few names—people I’ve learned from, and who live this principle every day.

🔹 Brad Olsen: The Ripple Effect

Brad taught me that a simple act of support can echo across generations. He never looked for payback—he just showed up and gave his time. Brad once told me, “Mentorship isn’t one-way. The energy goes both directions.” And he’s right. Every time I mentor someone younger, I learn something new.

🔹 Herman Bulls: Planting Acorns

Herman’s philosophy? Make connections, give freely, and don’t keep score. He’s introduced people who went on to do amazing things—and he did it just because he could. No strings, no ego. He always says, “If you plant enough acorns, something great’s going to grow.” That’s wisdom you won’t find on a whiteboard.

🔹 Gary Rappaport: Prioritizing People

Gary made giving back one of his top life priorities. He doesn’t just talk mentorship—he practices it. He gives young people his actual contact info and tells them to reach out. Why? Because he remembers being in their shoes. That kind of humility builds trust that no title ever could.

🔹 Len Forkas: Humility in Action

Len is one of the few people I know who’s not afraid to say, “I don’t know—can you help me?” And that humility? That’s power. He reminds us that asking for help—even from a competitor—isn’t a weakness. It’s smart risk management. And it shows you’re here to learn, not just posture.

🔹 Bob Murphy & Ron Gart: Credibility Above All

Bob will tell you point-blank: your word is everything in this industry. And Ron? He mentors with the mindset that “doing what’s best for you” ultimately benefits the whole team. These are guys who lead with authenticity—and people follow because they trust them, not because they fear them.

🔹 Liz Wainger: Listening is Leadership

Liz reminds us that communication isn’t about talking—it’s about listening. People want to feel heard. Supported. Valued. She teaches that the strongest leaders are the ones who make space for other voices—not just their own.

My Three Rules for the Next Generation

I tell young professionals the same thing I wish someone had shouted at me when I started:

1. Build relationships like you’ll need them in 20 years—because you will.

2. Be of service without waiting for applause.

3. Listen like it’s your job. Because honestly, it is.

This industry is full of smart people. But the ones who last? They’re the ones others trust. And that trust is built, slowly and intentionally, through fearless acts of support.

Final Word

The easiest way to stand out in commercial real estate? Be the one who helps without hesitation.

When you support others—openly, generously, fearlessly—you earn something no market shift can take away: respect that sticks.

So take the call. Give the advice. Make the intro. Don’t be afraid to be the person who helps someone else win.

That’s what leadership really looks like.