A warrior's mindset: Dr. Drew Pinsky opens PropertyCon with resilience
Much like ER doctors, property managers are no strangers to high-stress, high-stakes situations. That’s why Dr. Drew Pinsky, renowned internist, addiction medicine specialist and media personality, struck a chord during his opening keynote by calling them “a group of warriors.� His message: resilience isn’t born—it’s built.
“Resiliency is a process,� Dr. Drew shared, recounting his own journey through medical training. “It takes a long period of time to develop flexibility and resiliency.� One of his top tips for managers feeling overwhelmed? Learn to delegate. It’s not a weakness—it’s a leadership skill.
The talent equation: Recruit, retain, reward
In a standout breakout session, Jasmyn Sylvester, CPM®, ACoM®, Director of Property Management at LBX Investments, didn’t mince words: “Every one of us in this room should be considering talent a high priority.�
Backed by compelling data, Sylvester pointed to studies showing that:
- 50% of organizations don’t know how to retain their best employees.
- Nearly 75% of workers want to advance—and will leave if they don’t see a path forward.
What’s driving dissatisfaction? The usual suspects: stagnant compensation, lack of advancement, and feeling undervalued.
Sylvester’s solutions are as practical as they are powerful:
- Involve every voice at the table, including those in proptech and operations.
- A simple “thank you� can reduce turnover by 30%.
- Respect personal time: “If I’m working off hours, I work offline. I don’t want my team to feel pressure to respond.�
And when employees speak up, act. As one attendee shared, a colleague was given training opportunities simply because their interest came up in conversation. Listening isn’t enough—follow-through matters.
Mindful leadership: Beyond multitasking
Joe Greenblatt, CPM®, Founder of Sunrise Management and ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓýÈüÊÂÖ±²¥ Past President, led a compelling session on mindfulness as a leadership strategy. His core message? Presence is power.
“We’re not Microsoft Windows,� Greenblatt said. “We’re really bad at multitasking.� Instead, he advocates for time allocation over time management and challenged leaders to reflect: “Are you giving your team the time they need—or just answering emails all day?�
Audience members responded with traits of mindful leaders: they listen more, talk less, and consider how others experience them.
His advice for leaders looking to level up? Consider an executive coach—and take a hard look in the mirror.
Mentorship matters: Cultivating the next generation
Dr. Debbie Phillips, CPM®, Ph.D. and founder of The Quadrillion, took the stage to talk about meaningful mentorship. Her guiding principle is that mentors are here to help, not fix.
Effective mentorship, she said, starts with building trust:
- Learn about the mentee’s life outside of work.
- Set up regular, structured check-ins.
- Always maintain confidentiality.
Her mentoring playbook includes high expectations and tough love, but also genuine curiosity: “Ask, ‘How did it help you?’—and really listen to the answer.�
Perhaps most importantly, mentorship is a two-way street. Senior leaders can (and should) learn from junior team members, especially when it comes to technology and innovation.
Beyond talent: A jam-packed PropertyCon experience
- Women in Leadership Luncheon spotlighted powerhouse voices in real estate.
- AI and ChatGPT sessions revealed how technology is transforming operations.
- Sustainability and CAM management panels gave actionable insights on efficiency and transparency.
- Future of the Industry breakfast with panels on the Future of Networking, Proptech, and Digital Rights.
- ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓýÈüÊÂÖ±²¥ Foundation’s Honoring Sustainability luncheon, sponsored by CDM360 Workplace Experience, featured a panel discussion on the importance of sustainable practices and celebrated 2025 Jackson Control Sustainability Award recipients.
- An ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓýÈüÊÂÖ±²¥ Foundation Virtual Silent Auction, with ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓýÈüÊÂÖ±²¥ education packages, a South African safari, a 7-night stay for 2 in Los Cabos, and unique collectibles, raising $18,000 to support the Foundation’s mission.
- Keynote Adrianne Haslet, a Boston Marathon bombing survivor, closed the conference with a heart-stirring message about purpose, grit, and showing up every day—even when it’s hard.
In the words of 2025 ÀÖ¾ºÌåÓýÈüÊÂÖ±²¥ President Dawn Carpenter, CPM®, “It’s fantastic to see how the idea of PropertyCon, born three years ago, evolved into an event even better than we had imagined.â€�
Looking ahead
2025 PropertyCon made one thing clear: in a profession defined by change, your people are your power. Whether it’s through better listening, smarter delegation, or intentional mentorship, the path to retention and growth starts with showing up—for your team, and for yourself.
Next stop: 2026 PropertyCon in Austin!
Let the countdown begin.