Real estate leadership can become an echo chamber when everyone making decisions comes from the same background and sees the industry through the same lens.
On this episode of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered, James Dwiggins and Keith Robinson sit down with Cory Vasquez, president and chief marketing officer of Realty ONE Group, to discuss why real estate leaders need to break out of the industry’s echo chamber.
Drawing from her background in marketing, PR, crisis management, nonprofits and real estate, Vasquez explains why Realty ONE Group deliberately looks to other industries for ideas and lessons.
They also explore crisis communication, navigating change as a leader, knowing when to push versus when to be patient and why the industry needs people willing to speak openly about difficult issues. Vasquez shares her concerns about consolidation, consumer choice and maintaining the human relationships at the heart of real estate.
Plus, she explains one of the biggest mistakes agents make with personal branding: hiding who they actually are.
Highlights
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why real estate needs more perspectives from outside the industry
- How Vasquez approaches crisis communication and change
- Why leaders must balance patience with knowing when to push
- How agents can build more authentic personal brands
- Why getting uncomfortable may be exactly what your business needs
Vasquez also shares why she believes real estate sometimes overvalues direct industry experience. Robinson argues that while experience matters, assuming someone has nothing to teach you because they’ve never sold a house can prevent the industry from learning from experts in marketing, leadership, technology and other fields.
For agents, Vasquez’s final advice is equally important: Identify the part of your business you’re avoiding, and lean into it. Whether that’s prospecting, asking for referrals, learning AI or trying something completely new, growth often starts with becoming a beginner again.
Connect with Cory Vasquez on LinkedIn.
Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered is now exclusively on Inman. Tune in for agent- and team-focused content on Mondays and leadership interviews on Wednesdays each week. Listen on Apple or Spotify.
James Dwiggins is the president of NextHome, Inc. and co-host of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered.
Keith Robinson is the president of strategy at NextHome, Inc. and co-host of Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered.
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The views and opinions expressed on Real Estate Insiders Unfiltered are those of the hosts and guests in their personal capacities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGNT, Inc., eXp Realty, LLC, NextHome, Inc., or any of their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, officers, or directors.
