The pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain drive nearly every decision your residents and team members make.
Leadership in the multifamily industry encourages us to understand these twin motivators—not as abstract concepts.
But as actionable insights to inform our strategies and culture.
If you stop to think about it, residents choose communities where pleasure outweighs pain.
Does your property evoke a sense of belonging, convenience, and joy, or does it deliver frustration and dissatisfaction?
The same logic applies to your team.
Are you cultivating an environment where fulfillment, growth, and recognition dominate, or are burnout and disengagement winning the day?
Leadership is about tilting the scale toward pleasure.
It’s about understanding what truly motivates people—whether it’s pride in excellence or the satisfaction of a well-executed maintenance request.
But don’t neglect pain.
Eliminating inefficiencies, communication breakdowns, and friction points can be just as powerful as building moments of delight.
Here’s the secret: the best leaders anticipate both pain and pleasure.
They remove barriers before anyone trips over them and create experiences that make staying easy and leaving hard.
“The heart of leadership isn’t in commanding change—it’s in creating a path people are excited to walk.” – Mike Brewer
Takeaway: Ask yourself today—are you managing to maintain, or are you leading to inspire?
The difference lies in understanding what moves people and acting on it.