Knowing Your Why
There is something powerful in knowing and understanding why we do the things we do. On my high school basketball team, I knew my role – play tenacious defense and hustle after every loose ball. I wholeheartedly embraced that role! It gave me an understanding of how I fit into our team dynamic and energized me with purpose at every 5 AM practice. It was exhilarating and I thrived! Years later, this lesson became a key component to our start here at Millcreek Commercial.
After reading the book, Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek, I was floored by the thought that I didn’t fully understand my Why or our company’s Why. I thought back to my days on the basketball team and how I knew my purpose. Reading this book caused me to reflect. It caused me to ponder on this idea of understanding why we do the things we do – as individuals and as a company.
What is our Why? Simply put: our purpose is to break down barriers and help people thrive. Commercial real estate is just the method by which we achieve that.
Sometimes the barrier is in the form of helping a residential landlord understand that they can also own commercial real estate – the single-tenant, net-leased assets we offer speak to many residential landlords. Other times the barrier is helping a real estate agent find a solution to their client’s 1031 exchange needs. And sometimes barriers exist in the minds of those we work with and employ. We want to create a company culture where our people succeed without self-imposed barriers.
Our Why
As a company, we want to play a positive role in the lives of those we help. We want to be a part, even a small part, of their successful financial journey. We want to educate and inspire people to look at their current situation and ask themselves two questions: “What are my financial goals,” and “how can Millcreek Commercial help me achieve them?” We want those that work with us, and for us, to thrive.
On one wall in our office, we have the saying, “To sell John Brown what John Brown buys, you’ve got to see things through John Brown’s eyes.” Living this mantra requires each of us to have compassion and empathy for our clients and gratitude for the privilege we at Millcreek Commercial have of answering a phone call, sending an email, or sharing about what we do and how we can help.
I think it will take a lifetime of learning to achieve this vision of removing barriers for others and helping them thrive. Maybe even longer. Regardless, we’ve started down the path.
For more information about Millcreek Commercial and what we do, visit millcreekcommercial.com
