SHOW NOTES

Being a great leader requires many skills and components to succeed with your team and business. 

In today’s episode of the Tom Ferry Podcast Experience, I had the opportunity to talk with Mary Lee Blaylock, President and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. As one of the most respected and knowledgeable leaders in the real estate industry, Mary Lee shared a vast insight into successfully starting, growing and taking your real estate business. 

Mary has an extensive and amazing real estate career, from being Vice President of Edina Realty Inc. to Vice President of HomeServices of America to her current role in Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. She opened up about her first year of real estate and the hurdles she had to overcome to grow her real estate career and being a young woman and leading a team of older real estate professionals. 

In this illuminating conversation, Mary Lee provided her valuable insight on working smart, how to become a great leader, and preparing your team to be ready to pivot for any upcoming changes that the market can present. 

As a powerful leader, she also shared how she manages to focus her time as a wife, mother, and CEO. We also covered the importance of learning the inside out of the company you are growing, refining the skill to say no, and developing your career in your company.

If you’ve been thinking of taking the next step in your career or opening your own business, then this episode is for you! As always I took a bunch of notes and I know you will too, so share with me what golden nuggets you’re taking from Mary Lee to take your leadership skills to the next level.

In this episode we talk about…

1:54 – Mary Lee Blaylock shares about wanting to become a music teacher before starting her real estate path 

4:36 – Mary Lee talks about how tough her first year of working in the real estate industry was

6:29 – Listen to Mary Lee’s real estate journey and what it takes to do the hard work to become the best agent 

13:31 – Mary Lee shares how she managed a team of older agents as a young woman 

14:54 – Discover the life lessons Mary Lee learned through her daughter Emma and being promoted to VP of Relocation 

17:06 – Mary Lee talks about taking care of her team and never burning bridges when going to a new position and team 

17:59 – If you’re going to start a business, listen to Mary Lee’s advice 

20:23 – Mary Lee shares how she left her comfortable position to grow in her real estate industry to become the VP of HomeServices of America 

26:44 – Mary Lee opens up about raising her family while also growing Home Services of America

31:43 – Discover why Mary Lee accepted the Senior Vice President and General Manager position at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

36:22 – Mary Lee shares the challenges she faced, how she overcame them and the importance of learning the inside out of the company you are growing 

41:19 – Listen to Mary Lee’s advice when having to say no and becoming aware to refine that skill

42:43 – As a leader, when do you know you’re winning? Mary Lee shares her insight 

44:41 – Do you want to become a better leader? Listen to Mary Lee’s advice

47:12 – We can’t expect growth to be fast. Understand that the journey takes time to effectively do the work to create great results 

49:04 – Mary Lee talks about leading a team that is open to pivoting and the ability to anticipate and plan for the changes that are coming 

53:05 – Mary Lee shares a typical week for her and being open to changes 

57:12 – Do you want to start your business? Listen to Mary Lee’s advice!

59:11 – Mary Lee shares her business advice to women who want to grow their careers

RELEVANT LINKS

Mary Lee Blaylock

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

Edina Realty Inc.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Joseph McClendon III

Miracles for Kids 

Gino Blefari

Calvin Klein