Applying USMC Leadership Traits and Principles to Real Estate Deal Sponsors

As we see the effects of how the coronavirus impacts the health and safety of people throughout the world, and the consequences this will have on the world economy, there is a lot of uncertainty.  Deal sponsors are looking to make the right decisions in maintaining or adjusting their investment strategy with the mission to protect and grow investors capital. During times of uncertainty and stress the Marine Corps Leadership Traits and Principles separates the successful leaders who accomplish the mission by leading effectively.

Some deal sponsors have benefited from the big wave underwriting and purchasing properties at more aggressive levels, sometimes being less conservative in underwriting to make the numbers work.  During prosperous times, the economy and rental growth can hide underwriting mistakes and inefficient management; those mistakes and inefficiencies become harder to hide during uncertain and recessionary environments.  

The deal sponsors who stayed conservative in underwriting their acquisitions will have less of an uphill battle to protect and grow wealth during recessionary environments. We are not currently in a time of financial crisis, but we should prepare and be ready when the tides start changing.  Leading will be critical for the deal sponsor to maintain trust and investment strength.

Deal sponsors have a mission to protect and grow investor capital, and their leadership approach will help overcome the tide and position their investments to be stronger in the end for it. Below are 14 leadership traits and 11 leadership principles ingrained in me and thousands of others who hold the title of Marine.  These traits and principles are intertwined, and not one more important than the other. 

14 Leadership Traits: 

Acronym: JJ DID TIE BUCKLE

1. Justice
2. Judgement
3. Dependability
4. Initiative
5. Decisiveness
6. Tact
7. Integrity
8. Enthusiasm
9. Belief
10. Unselfishness
11. Courage
12. Knowledge
13. Loyalty
14. Endurance

11 Leadership Principles:

1. Be technically and tactically proficient
2. Know yourself and seek self-improvement
3. Know your Marines (team) and look out for their welfare
4. Keep your Marines (team) informed
5. Set the example
6. Ensure the task is understood, supervised and accomplished
7. Train your Marines (team) as a team
8. Make sound and timely decisions
9. Develop a sense of responsibility in your subordinates (team)
10. Employ your unit (team) in accordance with its capabilities
11. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions

For more information on the 14 leadership traits, check out this external blog that summarizes the leadership traits from a book called “Backbone.” Despite not one trait/principle being more important than the other, at a minimum you need to keep your team and investors informed.  Investors want to see transparency and open communication with the ability to contact the deal sponsors with questions or concerns.

As you research these traits and principles apply each one into your daily leadership style.  Leading and adapting to the situation pushes deal sponsors through challenging times and position themselves to find investment opportunities that will protect and grow wealth for their investors.

Stay Well and Semper Fidelis!