Ep 47. A Small Tree Can’t Grow In The Shadow Of A Big Tree.

She’s warm. She’s funny. She’s genuine. And she loves sloths for some reason known only to her. Join me for this podcast episode as I chat with Yael Geffen about the link between embracing and managing mental health issues and authentic leadership. She has dealt with suicide and loss as well as bipolar disorder.

This small, dynamic, charismatic business leader starts off the conversation by saying that a small tree can't grow under a big tree. It’s a really empowering statement for any leader or parent, acknowledging that we have to make space for the people around us to grow.

Yael is the CEO and a shareholder of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, as well as a member of the Europe, Middle East, India and Africa region task force for Sotheby’s International Realty. She was the winner of the 2020 Standard Bank’s prestigious Top Woman in Property Award and was chosen to represent South Africa as a speaker for the World Leaders Summit in November 2021.

Before stepping into the property world, Yael discovered herself in the US, where she was a shoe packer in a factory, a receptionist, a producer in an animation studio and more. It’s these experiences that shaped her. As I always say, no experience is ever wasted or forgotten.

This conversation covers:
 

• Being born into a real estate dynasty and finding her own voice
• The importance of doing ‘little jobs’ and how they prepare you for the ‘big jobs.’
• Living and leading with bipolar disorder
• How you can make ‘your mess your message 
• Turning ‘your burden into your brilliance.’
• Managing and leading human beings with a human touch
• Motherhood and authenticity
• Motherhood and boundaries
• Winning awards and using the experience to promote diversity and inclusion
• Her experience with Auschwitz’s survivor, psychologist and author, Dr Edith Eger

A few quotes from Yael:

On the matter of family businesses: 

”A small tree can’t grow in the shadow of a big tree.”

 So did I want to be in real estate?

”Hell, no. In fact, I escaped to the States to avoid this very fact and I just wanted to find out who I was. I wanted to find out what it's like to be anonymous and not Lew and Sandy Geffen's daughter. And it was the most beautiful experience. I spent four years in New York City doing many different things, even packing shoes in a shoe factory in Queens, which I absolutely loved.

“When you're the chairman's daughter and you are a female in a male dominated industry and you're very young (I was 38 when I took over as CEO), you have some challenges. And for me, I knew I had it in myself to do the job. I just needed the credibility among not only the industry, but my own network. Winning the top woman in property award was just that. It was a wonderful opportunity to garner more support and promote women in leadership. For my network, there were incredible women alongside me.”
 
“Everyone has a story, everyone has baggage. And sometimes it's a beautiful thing to make your mess your message (I stole that line from Lori Milner), obviously without devaluing your brand and your company. So there is a fine line. But, you know, the people that I love the most are the messiest.”
 
“My mission is to reduce the stigma and to inspire others to come forward….And if you look at the most historical figures of our society, whether it's Churchill, whether it's comedians like Robin Williams, they were touched with fire and they made such an impact in the world.”

“Accountability is such an important part of leadership. It's such an important part of being a good parent. Such an important part of being in a relationship, in a family. So be accountable.”