Leaving a company or team

My very fond adieu to Redfin

I think I’m going through a midlife crisis. Actually, this is the second one, and perhaps someday I’ll have a third—because midlife is long.

My first midlife crisis was at forty. Outwardly, I was a successful executive for a jewelry company but inside, I felt empty and unfulfilled. Even though I had achieved all the things the world could offer, my life was without meaning and purpose.

I had left my childhood Christian faith, but God makes it very easy for us to return to Him anytime; I became one of His many beloved prodigal sons and daughters. I quit the executive job and, in a stroke of divine timing, I spent most of 2011 volunteering in northern Japan after the earthquake and tsunami disaster.

While doing the most menial work clearing toxic sludge out of homes and scrubbing toilets at the volunteer camp, I found fulfillment helping others and serving God. When I returned to Honolulu, I started my real estate career in 2012 with the same goal of humbly helping others. Truly, God has blessed me in this career!

So, why another midlife crisis now?

I just turned 54 and I want to take my real estate work even deeper. I wrote about where my heart and future focus are in my last post about pro bono real estate. I hope to slow down the pace and help the neediest clients—those doozies I mention in my post. I also welcome any of my loyal clients to come along and support me at my new brokerage!

Sadly, this means I am bidding adieu to Redfin this week. For over eight years, this is where I learned how to prioritize and advocate for my clients’ best interests. This is where I grew as an agent through many (over 300!) difficult and varied transactions. I’ve enjoyed the benefits, support staff, and tech at Redfin. Even as I prepare to leave, I’m recruiting other agents to join—there are many agents eager to be part of Redfin’s visionary business model.

As I go, I’m reminding myself to follow a chapter from my book called “Leaving a company or team: Show loyalty.” It’s about how to continue to honor, respect, and show love to the people you’ve worked with even after you leave.

Ironically, the thing you will need most as you leave is loyalty. I like this Dictionary.com definition of ‘loyal’: “giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution.” The key word is “constant,” and here I believe it means we should continue our support long after we’ve left.

Another way to continue to support our former colleagues is to stay in communication and on good terms. In this business, our paths will continue to cross. It’s very likely someday we will present an offer on one of their listings, or vice versa. If we leave with grace and on good terms, our personal history with past co-workers will not encroach upon our client’s chances.

Even though I have a new mission, my heart is full of fear. I’m already missing the outstanding Redfin team of support agents and coordinators. I will go back to handling most tasks myself—but more quality time with my clients is a very good thing. I want to help my clients holistically and for the long-term. I look forward to the challenges and will face them with faith at a smaller, local brokerage.

I’m giving each of my clients a choice to stay with Redfin and work with one of my awesome co-workers, or to come along on my new adventure. I trust and support each client’s choice. We can always stay in touch and be friends even if we don’t work together!

I am sending this post from Italy and the annual Redfin-sponsored trip for top agents (Mike won the trip for us this year). I was able to say goodbye in person to the Chief of Real Estate Services, Jason Aleem. He is just one of the many reasons why Redfin is a cutting-edge company. It was a fun and fitting end to my time at Redfin.

My last word of thanks is for my CEO, Glenn Kelman. He gave me a precious gift when he wrote the Foreword to my first book. In the acknowledgements I wrote to him: “Our company’s values are kind and good because you are kind and good.” Every Redfinnian works harder and with so much heart because Glenn rallies us with his equally long hours and endless availability. Do you know of another CEO who signs off every email with, “Call me!” and his cell number? Glenn, thank you for supporting me to the very end—including openness to the idea of pro bono real estate.

Some of my beloved Redfin Hawaii team gathered a few weeks ago to say goodbye—what a blessing of a send-off they gave me! No one works harder than Redfin agents and managers. I’m honored to have worked with this group who always make sure to do the right thing for our clients.

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Aloha for now! God bless, Ali