What qualities distinguish a successful leader? Is it about winning business excellence awards and running super smooth operations, or is it about facing challenges, standing for your employees, and getting your hands dirty? Let’s learn it from Jaimine Johnson, the Director of Commercial Asset Management, leasing, sales, and maintenance at Donald R. Kenney & Company Realty. Jaimine is a charismatic leader who was drawn to the real estate industry at a young age and has achieved success in all of her endeavors. Jaimine was raised to work hard, take on the challenges of the business world, and go above and beyond to achieve desired success. Jaimine is the ideal blend of inspiring leadership and strong business acumen. She was chosen by Columbus Business First in 2013 and 2014 as one of the Top 20 to Know in Real Estate and Top 20 Women in Business. In 2014, she became a Costar Power Broker. In 2019 and 2020, she was named DRK’s Top Commercial Agent and Top Leasing and Sales Agent, respectively. Jaimine is listed among the Top 100 Real Estate Professionals for 2021.

Let’s know more about Jaimine, her journey to success, and her vision for the industry.

PerceptivX (P): Thank you for doing this with us Jaimine. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your brand?

Jaimine Johnson (J): “I am Jaimine Johnson, Director of Commercial Asset Management, leasing, sales, and maintenance at Donald R. Kenney & Company Realty, a full-service commercial real estate company in Columbus, Ohio. Our company carries 50 years of experience in all aspects of commercial real estate, ranging from land acquisition and development to property management, maintenance, and the sale and leasing of all types of commercial property in Central Ohio. We implement long-term strategies for the commercial asset division in the investment management of office, industrial/flex, medical, and retail properties. While working hard to increase your NOI. Connecting People is our motto, and we strongly believe in long-term relationships, not short-term memories.”

(P): Standing taller than the rest is every organization’s goal. What has been your strategy to do that?

(J): “We focus on the landlord-investor that is 100,000 square feet and under. We are a niche, we enjoy building something that allows the space to be cared for and kept in a manner of tidiness, and someone believes in handing over a strong product. If it is broken we can fix it.”

(P): What was your childhood like? How did the journey unfold? Can you tell us a bit about it?

(J): “I grew up exposed to real estate at a very young age. One set of grandparents had a farm, another had a hotel. My stepfather – Mother were developers. The success that they helped us learn at a young age was a drum roll, hard work, and being willing to do anything you ask others to do. I was taught that if you do not love yourself first you are no good to others. Ample sleep, good nutrition, exercise, and time to reenergize yourself are the key. Travel, it not only helps you breathe, but helps you bring home a fresh mind, with ample ideas. I am very fortunate to have studied other great coaches, Tony Robbins, and Bob Proctor, I have the honor of working beside Don Kenney. He allowed me to be seen, he let me develop something I believed in. More important he taught me confidence to be more. I am a coach by heart. I enjoy finding people’s strengths and allowing them to excel. I will guide you, but won’t do it for you. My find birthed at an early age as well, I was the coach and lead in most things in life. I did not care to follow the pack and enjoyed getting to know EVERYONE.”

(P): What was the major game changer for you? How did you develop your leadership skills?

(J): “It would be going into the banking industry on behalf of the real estate department. It allowed growth, development, and strength, and introduced me to due diligence, acquisition, and a view from a political view. Fostering relationships versus basing a purchase on location and price.

It did take me time. I did not enjoy being in front of the crowd but, rather behind the scenes. Allowing others to be seen. I found that people were visiting more often and I liked developing them into who they deserved to be rather than showing the world who I was.”

(P): Why according to you women are not making it to the top positions? What advice do you have for women in the industry?

(J): “That is a great question, I believe that there are many reasons, for not being taken seriously, not being seen, and not willing to be a voice, it boils down to having the courage to step in front of others. Believe in yourself, do not be afraid to be unique, and take the leaps of faith. Be packaged, earn a seat at the table, come with knowledge, don’t give it to others, and make others come to you to get the knowledge. Understand that you have to be strong to sit at the table with many, you must be able to take a joke, share strong educated decisions, and lastly do what they are unwilling to do. Women bring nurturing, global views, and intelligence both emotionally, and educationally. They bring a fight no other is prepared for. Most women leaders have been through many things to sit at the table. They often care about many views, not just her peer.”

(P): What is the best advice you have received?

(J): “This was given by my mother, “LET THEM SEE THE REAL YOU, ALWAYS SERVE OTHERS, and lastly BE AUTHENTIC”!