I have a handful of mentors who encourage, instruct, inspire, and push me to be my very best. I asked one of these mentors to write a letter of recommendation for my application to the CCIM Institute’s JWL Leadership Program. The Program Overview says that “The JWL Leadership Program incorporates a variety of learning methods and experiences to provide a well-rounded education in leadership aimed to equip participants with the skills and self-knowledge necessary for leadership roles within The CCIM Institute, their communities, and their professional careers.”
My mentor encouraged me to send him a little more than the request; something deeper that would offer additional color as to why participating in the Program matters to me. This, I see now, is the first move of a great negotiator, and great leader: to anchor, arm, influence, and move one or many participants with a picture of why it matters in the first place. Here is what I wrote:
Thank you for being willing to submit a recommendation on my behalf to the CCIM Institute in support of my application to the 2025 Jay W. Levine Leadership Program. As mentioned, it will prove helpful for me to offer some additional color as to why this matters to me.
I AM COMMITTED TO BEING A MASTERFUL LEADER.
The path to mastery emerges through a heuristic approach involving both theory and practice. I knew I wanted to develop in leadership after obtaining my Pin in October 2017.
To gain a theoretical framework I participated in a Leadership Workshop through the Urban Land Institute the following Spring. This gave me a strong foothold – coupled with my independent reading and mentorships – to engage the NorCal Chapter and grow in practical volunteer responsibilities for the last seven years.
Leaders are followed. Great leaders are joined.
I look ahead and see that in order for me to have a deep, lasting impact with the Chapter and Institute I will need to elevate my ability to share vision, garner alignment, and inspire trust and execution. Participating with the Program Cohort will put me with other focused and intentional leaders who will make me better.
I expect they will challenge, sharpen, refine, and support my development in strategy, communication, negotiation, and influence. We put our leadership capital on the line when we work at the Institute level on Institute projects and purposes, and must turn around and present at a national Governance Meeting. I want to rise to the occasion and prevail with the Cohort.
I bring a unique set of strengths to the JWL Program.
Deep self-awareness is a cornerstone of masterful leadership. The strength of my character is found in the dynamic tension between my core values of reverence & relationship, wisdom & mastery, victory & service.
I have been told that I am strong in intellection and strategy, learning, achieving, and gathering input. These virtues can be seen in the groundwork I laid for my Chapter Presidency by managing the onboarding of Star Chapter under Tim Tran, and pursuing the hiring of a new Executive Director under Tim Tikalsky.
They can be seen in the exercises and workbook I put together for our NorCal Chapter Strategic Planning Session last fall. They can also be seen in my recent work with Terry Shores on the Legacy Project at www.ccimlegacy.com.
That’s it. That’s the letter. Let me encourage you to learn the lesson I learned with this… No matter how well you know the person you are engaging, share your why. Even if they should know it. Put it in your words. Say it again. For your sake and for theirs.