#736: How to Lead with Faith and Build a Business That Lasts with Ryan Smith

Episode Overview

In this episode of The John Kitchens Coach Podcast, John Kitchens sits down with Ryan Smith for an honest and powerful conversation on leadership, mindset, and faith in real estate.

From navigating a tough market and having hard client conversations, to leading with integrity, core values, and purpose, Ryan shares the timeless principles that help his team thrive—no matter the conditions.

This is more than a real estate conversation; it's a masterclass in faith-based leadership, culture building, and personal alignment. If you've been feeling the tension between growth and gratitude, business and balance, this episode will remind you what really matters and how to lead from the inside out.

---

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Mindset in a Shifting Market

• Why your mindset determines your altitude, not the market conditions.

• How to stay proactive when transactions slow and uncertainty rises.

• Why fundamentals and skill mastery always win over hype and panic.

Having Hard Conversations with Clients

• How to bring clients back into what Ryan calls the "Circle of Reality."

• Why early expectation-setting prevents frustration later in the process.

• When to walk away from clients—and how honesty always builds trust long-term.

Leadership, Team Culture & Core Values

• The power of hiring based on values, not production alone.

• Why culture is just a collection of your people—and how one wrong fit can shift everything.

• The "gardener" analogy: pruning your team for health and growth.

Faith, Family & Focus

• How Ryan structures his business around his faith and family priorities.

• Why excellence in business flows from spiritual and personal alignment.

• Balancing ambition with purpose: redefining success beyond production numbers.

Mindset, Storytelling & Self-Leadership

• The "Story Model" for self-awareness: how your internal narrative shapes your results.

• Why agents must master mindset before strategy.

• How to create a culture where team members can call each other out with truth and trust.

Opportunities in Today's Market

• .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}