Unlocking Success and Satisfaction: Why Multifamily Leaders Must Align Careers with Core Values

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Human-centric leadership is more than a choice. It is a necessity. Aligning your career with your values isn’t just good advice—it’s crucial for long-term success and mental well-being. This alignment between career and values is a north star, enabling multifamily leaders to make grounded decisions even during turbulent times.

Let’s start with a foundational element: your values act as a personal GPS. When values are in sync with your career, it enables better decision-making. Without this, cognitive dissonance is inevitable. For instance, if your values revolve around sustainability and social responsibility, working in an organization solely fixated on the bottom line at all costs will create internal conflict. You may question your career choice, which often manifests as poor performance or dissatisfaction.

Building community is core to multifamily.  You’re in the right field if community engagement and camaraderie are among your core values. But even within this, you’ll find variances. Some PM companies may be more invested in PropTech innovations aiming for maximum efficiencies, while others may prioritize the richness of human connection within the community.

So, how does one align their career with their values in the multifamily industry?

1. Self-Audit: Begin by identifying what values resonate with you. This introspection will set the stage for further alignment. Tools like the Values Card Sort by Leanintuit can help in this exercise.
2. Strategic Job Selection: When considering job roles or investment opportunities, look beyond the economics. Research the company culture and ask pointed questions during interviews to gauge value alignment.
3. Cultural Contribution: Once you’re in a role that aligns with your values, work to imbue the organizational culture with those values. Use strategies like human-centric marketing and value-driven solutions to make a larger impact.
4. Continued Reevaluation: This isn’t a ‘set and forget’ mechanism. Revisit your values and their alignment with your career regularly, particularly when making major decisions.

Aligning your career with your values also merits employee engagement and team cohesion. When your team recognizes that you operate from defined values, it creates an atmosphere of trust and authenticity, allowing for a more harmonious and productive work environment. This is paramount in an industry that thrives on relationships with those who live in your communities and those who work alongside you.