What I’m thinking about: The one character trait I’m over-indexing on… both in myself and in everyone I associate with.
Earlier this year, I attended a meeting with Coach T (Trevor McGregor), a high-performance coach for entrepreneurs and former right-hand man to Tony Robbins.
One of the most practical frames to come out of that weekend was from Coach T.Infinity 8′ framework, which identifies the critical distinctions between A-players and everyday people. The eight principles begin with the letter “S”, but we will focus on the first principle… and the one that I believe underpins everything else:
Self-leadership.
The discipline that no one sees
For our purposes, it is understanding that complicates your decisions. You are responsible for your thoughts, your actions and your results. Period.
As I have written beforethere is No cavalry will come to save you.
Self-leadership includes consistent, habitual routines that most people know they should follow but don’t…whether it’s taking care of their physical health, their mental health, or the operational needs of their business, for example. At the root of this concept is the understanding that All time management decisions are value decisions.
And as a side effect of investing in self-leadership, it tends to significantly reduce complaints. Remember, no one will ever remember what you complained about, only that you complained. It is a social and professional stain if ever there was one.
The trial by fire
In my opinionThe highest standard of self-leadership means that you do the work of exploring the problems for which you are responsible and examining possible solutions. before asking questions of your team, boss, mentors or anyone else in your life.
In practice, this looks like this:
- Thoroughly researched the ins and outs of a particular situation or problem
- Propose ~3 proposed solutionseach supported by a cost-benefit analysis
- Selecting your preferred solution and clearly articulating why
- Take action along that route (pending their underlying decision-making authority and access to resources)
For reversible and low-cost decisions (from a time/capital perspective), the problem-solving process may be faster and less robust. But for irreversible decisions or high cost in time and capital? Extremely regulated. No exceptions.
As a bonus, I encourage you to actually write the entire process from problem to solution. Whether by hand or, realistically, through AI transcription tools like Wispr Flow (that’s how I wrote this article). I am a great defender of the belief that We write to think.
The act of articulating a problem forces clarity that simply turning it over in your head will never achieve (In our inner thoughts, we are all charismatic geniuses…the truth rarely favors our inflated egos.).
Let AI do the heavy lifting first
Remember the old “Let me Google it” website? The passive-aggressive (but fun) response to unnecessarily simple questions that aren’t worth explaining?
In the era of high-powered LLMs… this principle is amplified to an almost absurd degree. The default answer to almost any question should be: “Let me do that for you.“
The tools we have at our disposal right now are amazing. Any human with an Internet connection should have theirs. base Self-leadership ability immediately increased. And the floor and ceiling for high performers should be raised (significantly) accordingly.
While I cannot speak for others, my patience is becoming extremely thin with those who do not adapt and improve their game in this area (obviously adjust to the age/developmental stage of who you’re talking to…this approach would obviously be inappropriate with my 3 year old daughter, haha).
To be clear, I don’t hold grudges…I’m always willing to warmly hug and encourage those who change their tone and take positive steps to improve your self-leadership skills. Just as I would expect in the reverse case, as long as I inevitably fall into my own evolution as a modern human being.
Lead with the bottom line
Ever-fleeting time is always in short supply…especially at the higher levels of whatever game you’re playing. the goal or not leisure (and I would say that a large part of leisure) interpersonal interactions must be Hyperefficiency and relentless practicality.
As someone with a tendency to ramble or provide expansive context, I try to remind myself of the BLUF (Bottom line in front) US military communication framework. Start with the conclusion. Then support him.
There is a memorable scene of Lone survivor Film about the doomed Operation Red Wings SEAL mission ~20 years ago. One of the team leaders calls command to report the loss of contact with the main four-man SEAL team. As he provides details, the general receiving the report interrupts him:
“Lieutenant, are you telling me?**Is there a problem?“
The lieutenant hesitates and responds cautiously: “…No“, because he realizes that he does not have enough information to quickly escalate the situation through the chain of command. There were still other levers he could pull within his own sphere of responsibility.
In retrospect, there was obviously a problem (and a series of unfortunate events led to a total disaster), but the bottom line remains: come to the table with multiple potential answers and a plan of action, not the raw problem. Respect everyone’s time…including yours.
The goal is a simple “no”
Within our own SLC business, my business partner, Everett and I, have a standing meeting on Friday afternoons. Since I am responsible for the overall daily operations of SLC, this meeting is effectively a board of directors meeting.
Regardless of the long friendship Everett and I share, this is the meeting that, on average, I am most nervous about (especially in a historically difficult and uncertain real estate market like the one we find ourselves in now, with disposition deadlines that are delayed.)
My goal is to have considered every angle on every asset we manage… and take appropriate action wherever reasonably within our reach. So when I submit an offer and ask Everett if he has any questions, the ideal response I get is a simple “No.“
To be clear, that’s certainly not always the case… but I always breathe a sigh of relief when it happens.
This type of communication and preparation trickles down to the rest of our operation and team culture. Self-leadership is not just personal… It is contagious and starts from the top.
Subscription for your life
The final result: Investing in self-leadership is the path to a higher standard of living, which invariably opens up greater opportunities for you and your team… and builds trust with those who play at a higher level than you.
Self-leadership is the guarantee applied to your own life. The same way we refuse to take shortcuts on due diligence for $50,000 (and less 1 million dollars) land business, you must refuse to take shortcuts in the processes that drive your daily decisions and associated activities.
If you are a full-time land operator and want to work with the most focused and resourceful capital partner in the industry, send us your best offers. We write checks $50K+. we are closing 100% of the agreements to which we commit. And we bring national underwriting experience to every transaction.
Let’s raise the bar together.
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Originally published on SeriousLand.capital on March 2, 2026.
