
Michael Valdes
Gregg Lynn: "Be Authentic. Be Yourself. The rest will follow"

I met Gregg Lynn in 2008 in Hong Kong at the Sotheby's Contemporary
Art Auction just as the financial markets were collapsing. Over the
past 12 years, I saw him catapult to being the top agent in San
Francisco. He has been a dear friend and leader in our industry.
Someone who has always been there to support my career rise as well
every step of the way. I am grateful for the friendship and for the
conversation we had together recently.
I think his points of very were very sage and offered wonderful
lessons for the listeners.
When we spoke of building teams, he warned not to build too early
because clients will smell that desperation and you will inevitably
fail. The idea to grow a team should be one that happens organically.
In regards to dealing with trophy properties, he warns to have a
business plan and to be prepared to spend some money on the listing.
He continued to advise that one must prepare for "the Picasso moment"
-- the time that you reveal that amazing property to the public for
the first time.
Build your brand for the market you want to be in. This is a lesson
Gregg warns back to the day when we first met. He was in Hong Kong to
find a buyer for his trophy properties in San Francisco. He realized
he needed to nurture those leads and made the buyers know he was the
"go to" person in SF. He needed to create his brand in Asia because by
the time they landed in the states it was too late.
He teaches that it's ok to let go of bad clients. This is incredibly
hard for new agents to the business but in the long run, it is the
best advice ever.