The first trophy I ever won was in first grade. I was six years old and entered the hundred-meter dash at our school’s sports day. The starter gun went off, I ran my little ass off and crossed the tape in the first place. When the tape broke on my chest, I felt that I owned the world. The second trophy I ever won, was four hours later that same day when I ran the anchor of the 4 x 100 relay. Crossing the line 1st for that race had a completely different feeling about it. My level of excitement and exhilaration was much more profound. I had a team that was counting on me, a stadium cheering for us, and bringing home the trophy meant more to me than the race I had won earlier in the day. That 4-inch silver trophy from the relay had a home on my bookshelf for years. It’s funny how such a profound experience at such a young age could leave such an indelible mark. I lost that trophy in my travels, but the feeling of winning as a team has remained with me.
Over the course of my travels, I have won many awards – for different reasons and for different accomplishments. They have come in different shapes and sizes, but honestly, none can compare to the feeling of that very first relay race. It was so pure.
Years later, when I was studying jazz, my go-to publication to read was Downbeat magazine. Every year, Downbeat would have a ranking and award the “Best Saxophone Player”. I always found this bizarre because art is so subjective. Every year, there was also the “Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition” which awarded a winner. I wonder how instrumental the other members of the ensemble were when the panel of judges determined the “winner”? Jazz is a music of communication and expression between the musicians who make up the ensemble. How would a judge be able to judge one soloist from another when the outcome is intrinsically dependent on the efforts of the group? The winners were always highly accomplished artists, but I’m sure they credited their “win” to the members of the band and the insight of the panel who appreciated their craft. Not their individual prowess on the instrument.
Recently, rankings came out in The Wall Street Journal for the top real estate agents in the country. I was awarded #1 in New York and #11 in the nation. A huge honor and privilege for sure, especially in light of the challenges everyone faced in 2020. The thing that most resonates with me is how similar real estate (and business) can be to jazz. It takes a village (or ensemble) and success is very much dependent on the team effort. Much like a relay race. I would never have been awarded this rank if it wasn’t for the team at CORE – or our focus on delivering the highest and best service to our clients.
On the eve of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, I can’t help but think about how many lives will be profoundly changed over the next two weeks. The winners won’t always necessarily cross the line first. They will be the ensemble of coaches, spectators, contestants, and family members.
Let’s do this!
-Shaun