In today’s episode of Women Who Lead, our host, Teresa Palacios Smith, is joined by three powerful leaders to talk about creating a positive work environment, taking risks, and overcoming bias.
Meet the leaders
Melanie Weidenbach - COO at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate
Tammy J. Maddente - President First Weber Inc.
Reneé Gonzales - Chief Executive Officer at Long Realty Company
How the leaders got started in real estate
- Reneé started in a mortgage organization working as a loan officer. 22 years ago she got the opportunity to move to Tucson and work for Long Companies where she now serves as CEO.
- Tammy started her career in retail and found very quickly that she loved helping people put together their wardrobes. She discovered her love for service and was recommended by a close family friend to start doing real estate.
- Melanie was introduced to real estate through family relations and spent the first part of her career on the title and escrow side of the business. She now serves as COO at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Real Estate and Real Estate Professionals in Oregon and Washington, overseeing all aspects of operations.
What's the secret to creating a great work environment?
- There is no secret about it, Tammy recommends getting out of your corporate office and in front of your people. Treat everyone with respect and make a point of listening to your staff.
- Positively impacting people's lives in any way possible. Make everyone you interact with feel important and a part of the goal.
- Have an authentic desire to serve and surround yourself with people who share the same philosophies. Spend the majority of your time in the field with your staff.
What has been a life-changing event for the leaders?
- Reneé remembers early in her career when she was 22 years old and was given a chance by her leaders to oversee mortgage operations. This changed her career and gave her an opportunity to prove herself.
- The great recession had a massive impact on Melanie because she had employees looking to her for answers. She was able to lead during adversity and also reinvent the way her organization ran.
- 20 years ago Tammy found herself in a boardroom with 10 men signing papers to become a full partner. At this time there were not a lot of women in executive leadership. This experience motivated her to prove herself every single day.
What is the biggest risk they have taken?
- Tammy says she takes risks every day and that if you want to be successful in your field, you need to be willing to take risks.
- Reneé’s biggest risk is the same experience she shared as her life-changing event… and jumping out of an airplane.
- Melanie’s biggest risk was pivoting her career into a new path.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
- Don’t let anybody else define you and learn to draw boundaries.
- When a problem surfaces, address it immediately. Learn to make difficult decisions and act.
- Choose to do something you are passionate about and commit to it. It won’t always be easy but it will be worth it.
- You can do anything that you want to do as long as you work hard and continue to move forward.
How have you overcome bias?
- Tammy says that a powerful man is admired and a powerful woman walks a fine line.
- As a young woman trying to start an organization, Reneé faced lots of discrimination. Her advice is to earn people's respect by going above and beyond.
- Melanie has overcome bias by blocking out the noise and putting in the extra effort.
The leaders' favorite quotes
- “Unless you puke, die, or faint - keep going”
- “It always seems impossible until it’s done”
- “Never chase the money. Chase authentic accomplishment.”
- “It doesn’t matter who gets the credit. You need to let go of your ego, ego is overdressed insecurity”
Remember, always bring women up the ladder with you as you climb to the top. For more great content from Teresa, connect with her on LinkedIn, join her Women Who Lead Series on Facebook and subscribe to her YouTube channel. You can find more episodes of Women Who Lead on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else podcasts can be found.
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