NAREIM Architecture, Engineering & Development meeting 

Key takeaways: Professional development workshop

September 11-12, 2024

Risk: It shows up for real estate investment managers in numerous ways. But during NAREIM’s Architecture, Engineering & Development meeting members not only discussed contingency risk, but also the risks they do or don’t take within their own lives.

The conversation was part of a special professional development workshop led by Toastmasters during the meeting in Austin this week.

“People are uncomfortable with change because they don’t know the risks of what comes with making them, until it happens,” said the facilitator. He stressed that people stay in boxes to keep their own comfort, fuel the confidence they already have with doing their jobs, and to reframe from looking bad. 

However, this oftentimes holds you back from reaching your true potential—whether that be professionally or personally.

So, how do you deal with conflict and strengthen relationships? The key is to not let it grow past the point of no return. “People don’t deal with conflict until it gets too big and becomes a war.” Embracing conflict brings opportunities for growth, understanding and stronger connections.

He addressed four different types of conflict: Interpersonal (with other individuals), intrapersonal (within yourself), intergroup (within two or more groups) and interorganizational (within two or more organizations—competitors).

“Human beings love to be right, hate to be wrong, but don’t mind telling other people they are wrong,” said the speaker.

There is a high cost to uncontrolled conflict: credibility, productivity, morale and profitability. But most conflict really boils down to miscommunication, differences in values, limited resources or divergent goals.

To deal with conflict head on and boost your confidence to do so, using “I’ statements was a prominent first step mentioned. Meaning expressing your thoughts and feelings using non-confrontational language. You also want to avoid blame and try your best to interpret body language to gauge how your words are making the other person feel.

When practicing conflict resolution strategies, aim to be an active listener, collaborate, compromise and be a problem-solver. “Embrace the inevitability of change. Attitude determines its success,” he said.