Can You Have it All in the New Age of Business?

BROOMFIELD, CO—Last week at GlobeSt. ELITE Women of Influence conference, Collete English-Dixon, executive director of Roosevelt University’s Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate, and real estate chair of the university’s Heller College of Business, discussed the struggles of being a woman in business today. She talked about the concept of “having it all,” challenges in the industry, and how she is currently working to groom the next generation of real estate leaders.

When moderator Christine Chipurnoi, SVP Real Estate Construction & Hospitality at USI Insurance Services, asked about her move to academia, English-Dixon said it was probably one of her biggest moves in her career. “I decided to launch myself into the marketplace not knowing if they cared… I had always been a deal person.” She explained that moving into academia was a challenge but the reason she decided to do it was because she really believed in future talent. “I thought, now I can potentially influence that talent directly so I jumped into it. I still get a lot of pleasure out of having a tangible impact on talent.”

When discussing one of her previous roles, as a CREW president, she said it was a move that really changed her company’s perspective of her. “I was seen as a leader.” She explained that when you step into an industry organization’s leadership role, it is a surprisingly strong affirmation to the company you work for about your talents and your leadership skills. “They will see you bring those back to the workplace.”

As for how she gets it all done—jobs also including serving on not for profit board. She says that we can get as much done as we want to get done. “It is a question of whether it is important to us. What gives you energy and what excites you in life is what you will get done.”

She also said that her husband is also an incredible contributor, noting that having the right partner that allows us to do all these other things that are important to us is key.

English-Dixon picks not for profit organizations that she feels she can bring her real estate knowledge to, and ones that also give her the belief that she is making a difference. “The affordable housing space, the food pantry board, etc… all those things I work on because they have been important issue to me.”

When talking about career advice, she said that the most important thing is authenticity. “It is important for all of us to consider how much more impactful you can be when the world thinks you are being authentic. That is what brings you to the next level. When you believe what you say and are honest about their limitations, your authenticity will resonate with everyone you meet and that opens so many doors.”

A lot of times, she said, “in places where they are outnumbered or outmanned, women and people of color try, to present ourselves in the way we think others want to see us and it is hard to keep that up. If it isn’t you, it eventually shows. The idea of if you are always true to your beliefs and yourself, that is a key to achieving a sort of success in whatever part of your life you want success.”

Check back in the next week for more from English-Dixon, including which leadership skills were the most difficult for her to develop, more on work-life balance, and what she wishes she had known when she was younger. And click on related articles below from the GlobeSt. ELITE Women of Influence Conference.

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