Worth Repeating

Sound bites from NAIOP’s Chapter Leadership and Legislative Retreat (CLLR), held February 3-5 in Washington, D.C.:

“NAIOP has never been stronger. We mirror the industry, and the industry is doing exceptionally well.”
— Thomas Bisacquino, NAIOP CEO

Noted political analyst Larry Sabato delivers the keynote address at NAIOP's CLLR.

“Today, Americans vote for the same party from the White House to the courthouse. … This is the second-most polarized era in American history.” — Larry Sabato, political analyst and CLLR keynote speaker

“I don’t look at social media as a communications tool directed just at our members. I look at it as something to reach a larger audience than we’re talking to.” — Jim Villa, NAIOP Wisconsin

“Having a consistent set of messages is  key to an effective communications strategy.” — David Harrison, Harrison Communications

“I firmly believe that talent is distributed equally, but opportunity is not. I am one of very few African American corporate real estate executives. … I happened to be in the right place at the right time. We’re trying to get more folks in the right place at the right time.” — Joe Ritchie, vice president of development at Brandywine Realty Trust, on diversity efforts in the commercial real estate industry

“Inside the Beltway, sometimes we think we understand how to run businesses, and that we know what your clients and employees need. It’s only through your active engagement and participation — talking with us eye to eye — that you will have the impact we need you to have.” — U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado)

U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colorado) speaks to the NAIOP Board of Directors.

“If you’re a multinational company and you’re using a recruitment firm, ask that firm to bring you one diverse candidate. If you’re not doing at least that at this point, you’ve missed the boat.” —  Taylor Pederson, director of programs and education, NAIOP Massachusetts

“If people don’t trust your character, it doesn’t matter what happens next.” — Jeffrey Cufaude, president and CEO of Idea Architects, on
effective leadership

“According to the book ‘The Leadership Challenge’ by James Kouzes and Barry Posner, leadership is ‘the art of mobilizing others to want to struggle for shared aspirations.’ The reason the word ‘struggle’ is in there is because sometimes it is going to be a struggle. You should be upfront about that. You want people to sign on for that struggle.” — Jeffrey Cufaude, president and CEO of Idea Architects, on effective leadership