Over the past 23 years, Julia Lashay Israel has built a successful career by contracting and consulting for some of the world’s largest real estate companies and government agencies. She specializes in helping real estate leaders and industry professionals worldwide enhance their businesses through comprehensive training, coaching, and strategic career development.
Currently, Julia holds several significant roles within the real estate industry. She serves as the head of inclusion and belonging at Keller Williams Realty International, where she plays a crucial role in fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Additionally, she is the co-founder and owner of Refocus Training and Consulting, a company dedicated to providing expert guidance in the real estate sector. Julia also holds licenses as a real estate broker in both Minnesota and Texas.
Julia’s expertise extends beyond her professional roles. She has authored and taught numerous courses on subjects such as diversity, leadership, and career development for various organizations. Her enthusiastic energy, positive personality, and extensive knowledge consistently earn her high praise from students, who consistently rank her as a preferred instructor with a perfect rating of 5 out of 5. Furthermore, Julia has contributed as an author to Inman, a respected platform in the real estate industry and is the co-host of Keller Williams’ newest podcast, The Color of Money.
Throughout her career, Julia Lashay Israel has been actively involved in various real estate boards, committees, and commissions. She is a founding member and former president of the Twin Cities National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB). Additionally, she has made valuable contributions as a member of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Diversity Committee, the NAR Housing Opportunity Committee, the Minnesota Board of Directors, the Austin Board of REALTORS Diversity Committee, and numerous others.
Below are highlights of the interview:
What motivated you to become a Head of Inclusion and Belonging, and how did you progress to your current position at Keller Williams® Realty, Inc.?
In 2020, Gary Keller created a social equity task force to reduce disparities that exist in our communities and in the real estate industry. I served as a regional ambassador for the north Texas region and was later asked to lead the national social equity task force. This evolved into overseeing the diversity, equity, and inclusion community, which now consists of over 100 social equity task force members, 12 different affinity groups, and 700 agent leaders.
Tell us about Keller Williams® Realty, Inc.
In 1983, Keller Williams embarked on a mission to become the real estate company of choice for agents and their customers. Forty years later, our commitment to agent success has made us one of the most innovative and successful real estate companies. Keller Williams is home to the dreamers, the doers, and the entrepreneurs. To those who know that real estate is a calling and that if you can dream it, you can build it.
How would you describe your leadership style? What are the key principles or values that guide your leadership approach?
I would describe myself as a servant leader. Leadership is not a position or title. It’s about influencing and impacting the lives of others. I believe that effective leaders are able to inspire and motivate their team members by providing a compelling vision and direction. I’ve been given the gift and opportunity to oversee a cause and recognize the importance of building a sense of community within our organization to meet our shared goals.
What strategies do you employ to ensure effective communication and collaboration within your organization?
To ensure effective communication, it is important that the goals, objectives, and expectations for each project or task are clearly defined and that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities to avoid confusion. When team members have a clear vision, it inspires and motivates them to work towards a common goal and provides a sense of purpose and meaning to the work that they do. It is also important to recognize and appreciate that each individual brings a diverse and unique perspective and to value the contribution of each person. In order to foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork, I encourage open communication, value diverse perspectives, and create an environment where everyone feels valued and included.
How do you motivate and inspire your team members to achieve their best performance?
Motivating and inspiring team members to achieve their best performance requires a combination of recognition, support, and creating a positive work environment. But most of all, when you demonstrate the qualities and behaviors you expect from others, such as professionalism, dedication, and a strong work ethic, your actions and attitude can inspire and motivate others to follow suit.
What is your vision for Keller Williams® Realty, Inc’s future? How do you see the company evolving and adapting to industry changes?
We strive to be the most inclusive company in the world. This means that Keller Williams will be the real estate company of choice for both consumers and real estate agents, regardless of their demographic.
What are the major challenges you face as a Head of Inclusion in the in the sector? How do you overcome these challenges?
The biggest challenge I face is the misunderstanding of the concepts and definitions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. These words are being used as propaganda rather than acknowledging that 100% of employees are people and 100% of clients are people. Diversity simply refers to the differences that exist among individuals or groups. It encompasses the idea that each person is unique and that these differences should be recognized, valued, and respected. Equity recognizes that different people may have different needs, resources, and experiences, and therefore require different levels of support and opportunity to achieve the same outcomes and Inclusion refers to the practice of creating environments in which all individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. The best way to overcome this misunderstanding is through continued education and open communication.
As a Head of Inclusion, how do you maintain a healthy work-life balance? What practices or activities do you engage in outside of work to recharge and rejuvenate?
You cannot pour from an empty cup. In order to refill my cup, I enjoy working out, frequent trips to the spa, and spending time with people I love and care about. I recently saw a quote that said, “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” I love that!
What advice would you give to aspiring leaders who are looking to make a significant impact in their respective industries?
Be a Change Agent: Identify opportunities for positive change within your industry. Drive innovation, challenge outdated practices, and champion initiatives that can bring about meaningful change. Remember, making a significant impact takes time and effort. Stay committed, remain adaptable, be learning based, and continuously strive for excellence. Your passion, dedication, and leadership will pave the way for meaningful change in your industry.
Website: https://www.kw.com/
