Serve Without Expectation: Fearless Empowerment
- John Coe
- 33 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Welcome back to Iconic Journey in CRE’s “A Year of Fearless Ethical Leadership.” We’ve already tackled fearless communication and fearless transparency—lessons from The 50th Law by Robert Greene and 50 Cent. Now we go deeper: serving without expectation, the leadership habit that turns influence into a lasting legacy.
Why This Matters in CRE
Deals close, markets shift, trophies collect dust. But empowering others—without demanding credit, payment, or control—creates something longer-lasting. Serving without expectation means helping because it’s right, not because it’s profitable.
Herman Bulls calls it “planting acorns.” You don’t know which will grow, but you keep planting. The payoff may come years later—or in ways you never expected. That’s the point.
The Ripple Effect
One introduction can launch a career. One conversation can spark a project that transforms a neighborhood. In CRE, those ripples add up.
Some leaders live it every day:
Gary Rappaport mentors anyone who asks and donates all book proceeds to education.
Bob Harris funds scholarships and internships to open doors for underprivileged students.
Louis Dubin builds environmentally sustainable projects with economic and community benefits.
Shekhar Narasimhan pushes affordable housing with an “otherness” mindset—benefiting the whole industry.
These aren’t just nice gestures. They’re power moves that outlast any single deal.
Fearless Empowerment in Action
Serving without expectation doesn’t mean passive leadership. It’s active trust. It’s letting go of constant oversight so others can succeed in their own way.
Take Risks: “Be bold,” says Blake Potolicchio. Sean Caldwell adds, “Failure is not that bad.”
Start Now: Jessie Barter keeps it simple—“start now.”
Believe Deeply: Ethan Penner says greatness is a choice made daily, powered by 100% belief.
Be Authentic: “Authenticity is rewarded in life,” reminds Toby Bozzuto.
It’s not about cloning yourself—it’s about creating leaders who thrive without you.
Four Ways to Serve Without Expectation
Give Without Strings – Share opportunities without dictating the outcome.
Detach from Credit – Let others own their wins.
Think Long Term – Relationships pay off in ways you can’t predict.
Be Fully Present – When you give your time, give all of it.
The Legacy
Serving without expectation is fearless because it kills the ego. It’s empowering because it puts others first. And it’s ethical because it strengthens people, communities, and the profession.
Plant the seeds. Let go of the need to see them bloom. That’s how you leave a mark worth remembering.
What would happen if every CRE leader worked this way? It might be the most transformative deal any of us ever make.
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