One phone call changed how I lead forever:

My first day at Westport Properties, as a Site Manager in Tucson, we had a dozen overnight break-ins.

Lock checks, photos, securing units — all done. But then came the part I was dreading:
Calling my new District Manager, someone I’d only spoken to once.

I expected blame. I expected pressure. I expected distance.

Instead, he calmly walked me through the internal steps I didn’t know yet, thanked me for handling the situation, apologized that I had to deal with it on day one, and ordered lunch to my site to “help the day get better.”

That moment taught me something I’ve never forgotten:
People escalate problems faster, solve them better, and stay longer when leadership responds with trust instead of fear.

That’s the kind of leader I’ve tried to be ever since.