Within a six month period in 2015 and 2016 both of my parents, John Kearney and Jo Kearney, passed away. I mention this and post it here, because many of you who will read this have done business with or have had contact with them over the years. It is a great loss to our community not to have them still around. I was very lucky to have had two great parents. They laid the foundation on which I have built a wonderful life and career. I worked with them both closely for over twenty years and together they were my steady and consistent mentor. They taught me mostly by example. Here are some of the lessons I learned from my parents on how to conduct business.
- Lead with service. The number one goal is to be of service to each person who comes through the door. Whether it results in a sale or not.
- Treat everyone well. Not just the people who you think can help you. It all comes around in the end.
- Be grateful. Know how lucky we are to be doing what we do. Relish in the opportunity to meet nice and interesting people.
- Love is reflected with love. It’s amazing how nice everyone is to work with when you don’t take the bait at any point to make it confrontational. The attitude that “everyone is a friend” makes it much easier to make friends. “The Golden Rule” works in all instances.
- Go the extra mile. Take the time to do something special. Make someone’s day. Do the unexpected. Not only will others notice, you will feel great about yourself.
- Be Consistent. Be someone people can count on. Being dependable and doing small things consistently adds up to big things over time.
- See the best in others. Look for the best in others. Look to compliment, don’t look to criticize.
- Have compassion for others. Give someone a break. Be kind. Do something unexpectedly nice. Take a chance on someone where others have passed. Use your intuition about people, not always their credit score.
- Win-win-win negotiations are best. Be the first one to suggest a reasonable solution. Go more than half-way when needed. Take a long view and don’t take negotiations personally.
- Have an abundance mentality – Be generous. Expect the good to continue and don’t be afraid to share it with others.
- Do everything with integrity. Honesty, transparency, fairness are always the right things to do. If it seems like it’s in the grey area, it’s probably the wrong thing to do.
- Don’t burn bridges. Treat everyone with respect. Never leave on a sour note. Don’t take advantage of an opportunity to say “I told you so”.
- Work hard. Showing up every day and working hard when you are at work ensures longevity.
- Have fun! Deciding to have fun wherever you are is a great recipe for having a happy life.
- Set goals. If you can see it and believe it you can achieve it. Aim high and write them down.
- Take a long view. Everything that you do should be congruent with the person who you want to become and should be leading you in the direction that you want to go.
- Smile. A warm and genuine smile help every situation and it puts people at ease.
- Take responsibility. Don’t pass the buck. Do more than your share. Be the first to find a solution and the last to place blame.
- Be loyal. Take care of your clients, your friends and your family.
Obviously I have a wonderful legacy to fulfill and I’m striving every day to embody these principles into my thoughts and actions. In in doing so I remember and honor my parents.
Neil,
This is so wonderful and so relevant! All of these remind me of your folks! I miss them already and can’t believe they are gone. Their memory will live on with in all of us.
Love you and all the JSK’s
Adrian Kearney
Hi Adrian, Thanks for commenting. You are right, their memory will live on.
So beautiful Neil. Your parents were a blessing. Not only to the real estate industry, but to everyone that had the pleasure to know them. They will be sorely missed.
Thank you Lesley. Yes, they were a blessing.
Well done Neil Wonderful tribute
Thank you David.
Hi Neil,
I am so sorry both your parents are gone. They were really special. Your Mom was ultra classy. Your Dad was a good man.
Thanks for your wise, important words here. I would like to pass them along to others. It is so refreshing to hear what you’re saying because its so true and so important.
Thank you
Thank you Bruce. I would love if you would share this with others, because I too think they are important and not often overtly spoken of.
Neil, what a wonderful post and wonderful services for both your parents. How hard this all must be to lose them both so close together! You have been a model of steadiness, poise and grace through it all. I have noticed how much I have and do think about your mom in the course of my day to day existence over the years, made so apparent as now the next thought is that she is gone, one of the brightest lights has gone out. I never dreamed I would never see her again. Friend, mentor, endlessly positive, beautiful lady, thrower of a lovely baby shower for me and my boy 11 years ago. What an inspiration she was to me and so many.
Thank you Karla, Your comment is so sweet and right on target.
I had you wipe a few tears away reading this! I think you and your kids are a reflection of just how amazing your parents were! Bless you all!
Thanks Kevin and Susan. They loved sitting next to you at the CU games.
Love this. So sorry to hear about your mom, Neil!
Thanks Lissa. I hope you are doing well and everything with the new house is good.
Sending you a warm bright smile full of heartfelt love. Your parents shine bright in the man you have become & clearly they are so proud if you. I am so sorry for your loss and know their impact lives on.
Hugs🌠
Kimberly Fels
Remax of Boulder
Thank you Kim. Your words are very kind.
Neil,
Edie and I offer our condolences and share fond memories with your parents. I grew up in Boulder and have known your family for 50+ years. Edie and Jo shared many tennis and golf experiences and happy memories over the 20 years she’s been coming to Boulder for the summer. We are looking forward to the dedication of Jo’s beautiful tree on the golf course in June. We know you will carry on the Kearney family tradition!!
Theo and Edie Mandel
Thank you Theo and Edie! I love having so many multi-layered connections with so many people.
Neil. Please accept our sincere condolences. This might come late, but we only found out now as I was browsing to unopened e-mails. We are very sorry for your loss.
Neil, this is such a wonderful tribute to your dear parents, who were and are much loved by many friends and folks — a true sign of lives well lived and of real success! So many lives touched by their simply being the best of who they were every day with everyone! Hugs of love to you and your big beautiful family!