3. The Ambassador of Culture with CEO John Combs

In this episode, get ready to dive into a candid conversation with John Combs, a highly respected leader and "Ambassador of Culture" in commercial real estate. John, CEO and visionary founder of River Rock Real Estate Group, shares powerful insights into building an authentic, people-first company culture that propelled his firm from zero to managing over 50 million square feet.

John opens up about his leadership philosophy, emphasizing the critical roles of listening, humor, celebrating individual wins, and empowering teams. From overcoming personal and professional challenges to practical advice on maintaining team morale and accountability, this conversation offers valuable wisdom for leaders in any industry.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The story behind John's impressive journey and how he built River Rock Real Estate from scratch
• Why prioritizing happy clients, happy employees, and profitability creates sustainable success
• How to effectively use humor and genuine care to diffuse workplace friction
• The importance of adapting leadership styles to meet individual employee needs
• Practical tips for fostering a positive and empowering corporate culture

Join us as John shares both the trials and triumphs of leadership, revealing why authenticity and caring leadership are non-negotiable keys to lasting success.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

https://www.melrobbins.com/book/the-let-them-theory/

 

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome and introduction to special guest, John Combs
• 02:00 – John shares a humorous story about podcasting and overcoming technical mishaps
• 04:00 – Reflecting on John's leadership journey and notable achievements
• 07:00 – The early days: How Stan and John first connected professionally
• 10:00 – How John developed early leadership skills and personal growth
• 14:00 – John's leadership philosophy: genuinely caring about employees
• 17:00 – Practical leadership insights: adapting to flexible employee needs
• 21:00 – Creating a healthy employee culture with impactful wellness initiatives
• 26:00 – Overcoming personal and professional setbacks, including major career crossroads
• 31:00 – John's courageous personal journey and its impact on his leadership
• 35:00 – How authentic leadership influences business success and employee satisfaction
• 38:00 – Reflections on building a successful company culture and meaningful legacy
• 42:00 – Lessons learned from working with and caring for horses
• 45:00 – John's "magic trick" for leadership success: listening and humor
• 48:00 – Closing reflections and key takeaways from John's wisdom

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will challenge and encourage you to lead with authenticity and intentionality.