On December 10th, ULI Washington’s WLI held its 2019 Holiday Luncheon at Olivia’s.  Over white tablecloths and a three-course-meal, 130 women gathered together to learn about effective leadership, positioning for opportunity, and championing for diversity with Diana Reid, a ULI Governor and Trustee.

The secret to a successful career in real estate is careful strategy and a focus on present job excellence and creating a network to be positioned for what’s next.  “Do all the work and be ready to pivot” was some of the advice veteran real estate finance executive Diana Reid told the sold-out audience of 130 at ULI Women’s Leadership Initiative DC holiday lunch.  The WLI event brought women and (a few) men together to connect and learn about effective leadership, positioning for opportunity and championing diversity.

Drawing on the experiences from her storied 38-year career, Reid, a ULI Governor and Trustee noted that while she engaged in careful planning for the companies she worked for, from Citibank to PNC, she didn’t always strategize for herself—in part because from 1980-2020 her field went through major paradigm shifts that meant creativity and opportunism were more well-matched than long-range visioning.  “In this world of continuous and rapid change, if you don’t position to pivot, the job you do will disappear,” she said.

Named one of American Banker’s “Most Powerful Women in Banking” from 2010-2018, Reid offered advice to position for change and “opportunism” that includes:

• Be intentional about building, expanding and refreshing a network of connections that equate to a two-way street—listen to their story as well as sharing yours.
• Undertake continual learning that is more than reading. Listen to those around you, up and down the chain, along with clients, and your team. But don’t stop at listening. Apply what you learn.
• Connect to the vision and purpose of your work by asking tough questions to better know yourself, your “why” and your values. Doing so helps through tough times, motivates your team, and is the key to finding satisfaction in your work.

Reid also advises to treat failure and success “exactly the same”—as an opportunity to learn. ”The only mistake is the one you don’t learn from,” she said, adding that finding purpose and vision will ultimately make the biggest difference.

“Leadership is not a title, role, resume, destination, or a solo endeavor—you can’t be a leader by yourself.  It is about the actions you take, every single day, that make an impact.  Create a vision of the future with others, share it, and enable your team, company, or community to live to that vision,” said Reid.