A Softy with Thick Skin

A softy with thick skin

Looking back, I think it's kind of funny that I cried after my co-worker said I was too soft.  She was obviously surprised and even annoyed when she told me that I had to get a thicker skin if I was ever going to make it in real estate development.  Of course I was upset, but mostly because I was so soft I couldn't even handle someone telling me to get a thicker skin.

Today, I could be telling you she offended me, but the truth is she challenged me.  In that moment, I DECIDED that I would grow a thicker skin (whatever that meant)!  I'm glad I accepted that challenge.  She was right.  It sure is a tough business and as I dive deeper into this world of affordable housing and community development, I understand more clearly what my former co worker meant.  I gotta' say, I sincerely appreciate her unintended advise.

I survived the initiation into my career.  I can withstand criticism because I know who I am and who I want to become.  I can be unaffected by the needs and feelings of others because I am clear about what I stand for.  I believe that my success is dependent on more than just a thick skin.  I credit my survival in this tough business to my motives.  I didn't pursue real estate because I was seeking sales commissions or developer fees.  My motivation was everything that would come from a “softy”.  I was so moved by the homeless on the streets of Miami.  As a teenager, I asked myself: Why are human beings coming out to sleep on card board boxes when the sun sets? Why are the elderly pushing a dirty shopping cart down the street to nowhere?  Why are seemly healthy and able men pan handling on the side of the road?  That was just wrong and unbearable to my young mind.  I needed to figure out how to change that injustice.   My motivation towards real estate development was and always will be about serving the people!

I am convinced that it's not just about growing a thicker skin.  I believe it's also about fine-tuning your compassion, increasing your awareness of the pain around you and growing in wisdom while you strengthen your stamina to fight the good fight.  Why is there shame in having a heart?  Do not lose your compassion for the hurting. Do not lose your awareness of the wrong. No! Decide to channel that love for good.  Grow a thick skin and use it to kick butt fighting for the good of others! Be a part of making this world less mean and a little softer.