Goals change as life changes
When Kim Brennan was a young girl, she always dreamed of having a career that would land her a position in the “corner office.”
While her Baby Boomer parents planned for her to settle down, get married and raise a family, Kim heard a different refrain playing in her head. Growing up, she concentrated on concepts such as “Anything boys can do, girls can do better.”
With determination and hard work, over the next 25 years she met her early professional goals. Given her persistent nature, it is not unexpected that Kim would be successful, assuming executive roles at many of the major commercial real estate firms in the northeast.
Today, as managing director at Cushman & Wakefield, Brokerage, Kim draws on her years of experience. With a depth of meaningful relationships, Kim can focus on business development, offering insights and ideas to help clients create an overall real estate strategy that aligns with their corporate objectives.
Over time, her goals of occupying the corner office morphed into a deeper and more meaningful commitment to become an exemplary leader and cheerleader by supporting others in their positions of responsibility.
As a strong role model for successor generations, Kim’s target audience is mainly women, as she shares her own experiences and encourages them to seek purpose in their personal and professional lives, providing tools and resources to catalyze change.
Kim passionately believes that women should not be pushed down or pushed aside, but rather given the opportunity to succeed in places where they’ve been told they don’t belong or where they are not expected to be.
Passing on a wealth of knowledge
As Kim traveled along her professional path, she learned many life lessons that are critical for every up-and-coming next generation of women.
Her top ten lessons include:
- Be your own voice – do not ask for permission, but instead act as your own advocate.
- Be a great listener – be empathetic and nonjudgmental.
- Make yourself visible – walk around the office to connect with colleagues in a meaningful way.
- Assume a positive attitude – rather than complain about the situation, seek solutions to the problem.
- Do not internalize challenges – you will meet people who don’t like you; it doesn’t matter-just get the job done.
- Hold to a moral compass – do the right thing.
- Don’t be overwhelmed – tackle each challenge one step at a time.
- Be thoughtful of others –demonstrate genuine concern.
- Seek out a mentor – engage with someone who can help you navigate the inner landscape and the overall environment.
- Learn to pivot – always be ready for unplanned obstacles – prepare for change.
Inspiring all
Kim has long held to the belief that the people who can pivot are the most successful and she has demonstrated that throughout her professional career.
From her years at the entry level through her rise to the pinnacle of her career, Kim became a seasoned leader and a terrific example for the next generation.
