By Shay Hughes

Before we even opened our doors, Chairman & CEO Jason Hughes and I always knew we wanted to place company culture and the happiness of our team as a top priority. We wanted to develop an environment where our team members would feel more like family than co-workers, where our offices felt more like homes than cold office spaces, and where our teams would be committed to deliver hard work and excellence to clients. We have learned so much over the years and are constantly finding new ways to enhance our culture, which has definitely paid off in so many ways!

We are honored to share that Hughes Marino’s culture was recently featured in an entire chapter of world-renowned author and business coach Joe Calloway’s latest book, The Leadership Mindset, as a prime example of how culture drives success. Here are three key insights that I shared with Joe about how our continuous commitment to company culture has completely revolutionized our company and the commercial real estate industry.

1. How Culture Has Been Vital to our Success

Our company has been completely transformed by our culture, positioning Hughes Marino as a standout in the highly competitive commercial real estate industry, while also revolutionizing how the industry will operate in the future. While most brokers unfortunately have to compete against each other within their own company, our brokers and entire team of subject matter experts work together in a collaborative and non-competitive environment with unprecedented operational support. Not only do we provide a unique suite of services tailored to only representing commercial tenants, we make a commitment to operate ethically and with integrity, keen attention to detail, respect and authenticity. While we provide an incredible service experience and outcome for our clients, many companies are eager to work with us solely because of our ten Core Values, nationally-recognized culture and our outstanding professional team.

2. How We Keep Positive Culture Thriving

Maintaining our tight-knit culture always begins with hiring the right team members. No matter how much we need to fill a new position, or how long it takes to find that right person, we know we can never compromise on hiring, because that is our first defense to protecting the environment we love so much! During our extensive interview process, we look for people that embody our Core Values and have standout character who will fit right in and thrive with our friendly team!

Another way we keep our positive culture thriving is by embracing appreciation and gratitude. By providing our team members with plenty of recognition for a job well done, they feel fulfilled and appreciated in their roles, and strive to work even harder! One of the most enjoyable ways we encourage appreciation is through our WOW cards, where everyone has the opportunity to recognize their teammates for going above and beyond in front of the entire company, which really keeps the positivity and gratitude flowing!

We also do our very best to enrich the lives of our team in any way we can, both personally and professionally. In addition to the monthly birthday celebrations, fun tournaments in our game rooms and other contests, we bring in admired business coaches including Joe Calloway, Mike Robbins and Jesse Itzler to inspire our team. We also provide top-of-the-line healthcare benefits, student loan assistance and provide our team with plenty of extra time off around the holidays (in addition to allocated vacation days) to spend with family and recharge.

We do everything in our power to make sure all of our amazing team members feel valued, fulfilled, and happy to come to work every day with people who care about each other like a family, and that commitment to our team has kept our culture alive and well!

3. Why Culture Matters in Business

Culture makes an incredibly dramatic difference in the business world. To have the opportunity to work amongst truly kind-hearted, driven and intelligent people while revolutionizing the industry is a rewarding opportunity for all of us, Jason and myself included! Our company culture is what has attracted some of the most talented, sought-after candidates from across the country to Hughes Marino. Each team member has added so much to our company, from their cultural contributions, to their talent, intelligence and grit, all of which has played a major part in our success and national expansion. Our brokers are supported by the entire team—from our deep operational support to project and construction management, planning and design, culture consulting, portfolio lease administration and advisory, and in-house legal team—which sets them up for success right out of the gates!

Culture also provides our team with a competitive advantage, setting us apart from other commercial real estate firms. Companies come to us to utilize our expertise in order to enhance their own offices and company culture so they can attract and retain top talent. Nothing is more rewarding than helping others succeed alongside us and positively impacting workplaces and people’s lives every day!

As Joe highlights in The Leadership Mindset, culture is a critical factor that drives success in business, and we are completely honored to be featured in his book! It has been a truly rewarding experience watching our company and clients thrive, and the lives of our team members flourish, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future!

Onward!