Service Over Supremacy – Fearless Service (Inspired by The 50th Law)

Unity and collaboration at the forefront, emphasizing the power of service over supremacy.

Welcome back to the Iconic Journey in CRE blog series! Last week, we laid a crucial foundation by exploring "Self-Awareness Over Strategy," understanding that knowing ourselves deeply is the first step toward effective and ethical leadership. This week, we build upon that personal understanding to focus on how we engage with the world around us. ```

For Week 3, we delve into another Foundational Anchor of the Ethos of Ethical Power: Service Over Supremacy. Inspired by the principles of The 50th Law and its emphasis on fearless engagement with reality, this principle asks us to consider where true power lies.

At its core, Service Over Supremacy can be simply stated: Power is sacred when it serves others. This stands in direct contrast to a view of power as dominance or control over others. It’s about shifting our mindset from seeking personal gain or a position of authority for its own sake, to one where our actions and influence are primarily directed towards benefiting those we interact with – our clients, colleagues, partners, and the communities we impact through commercial real estate.

Embracing this principle requires Fearless Service. It means being willing to put the needs of others first, even when it might feel counterintuitive or risky in a competitive environment. It means serving authentically, without expectation of immediate return, trusting that building value for others ultimately builds sustainable influence and success.

We've seen this principle in action through the wisdom shared by DC Area Real Estate Icons. Their insights consistently highlight a deep commitment to clients, community, and empowering others:

• Ray Ritchey embodies this with his powerful mission: "Leave our communities better than what they were before." This is a direct expression of leadership focused on service and lasting positive impact beyond personal or corporate gain.

• Tom Bozzuto similarly speaks of "Concern for the Community," emphasizing the broader responsibility that comes with leadership in real estate development.

• Leaders like Jeff Zell articulate a clear priority: "the client is number one." He stresses servicing the client for their 100% satisfaction, noting that bonuses in his company are tied to the "service of the clients" and working for "long-term operational value" for them, prioritizing this over mere commissions.

• Liz Wainger views herself as a "partner" to her clients, deeply caring about advancing their organizations and wanting to "leave them better than how she found them." She is committed to doing "what's right for the client."

• John Coe encourages leaders to be more "outward and less for your own good," trying to "solve their mission" to create win-win outcomes and mentioning the importance of "service."

• Oliver T. Carr, III's company operates with a "customer first orientation," and he speaks passionately about focusing on helping children in underserved communities.

• Toby Bozzuto describes leadership itself as a "service journey" and his company's core purpose as creating "sanctuary" for residents.

• For Shekar Narasimhan, the people who lived in the housing they financed were their "North Star," caring about them most.

• A.J. Jackson advocates for housing affordability and using an "equity lens" to consider those impacted by decisions who are not at the table, demonstrating a service mindset towards vulnerable populations.

These examples from seasoned professionals underscore that prioritizing service is not a weakness, but a source of true, ethical power. It’s about building trust, fostering genuine connections, and contributing to a more sustainable and equitable industry.

As early-career professionals, adopting a Service Over Supremacy mindset means approaching every interaction with a willingness to understand and meet the needs of others, seeking mutual growth and positive impact. It’s about fearless engagement with the reality of interdependence in our industry and choosing to lead by serving.