Blerina Avdili Career Background
What is your biggest career achievement?
- My most significant career achievement has been working alongside remarkable individuals who displayed unwavering commitment and loyalty. I've had the privilege of mentoring 16 individuals, guiding them to well-deserved promotions, and remaining a lifelong resource.
A standout moment in my career was managing a 21-member team overseeing a 1155-unit property, an immensely challenging project. What served as my beacon of motivation were four exceptional leaders who shared my dedication to creating a positive, collaborative environment.
We initiated each day with what became a powerful phrase: "What's the word?" It reinforced our commitment to communication and teamwork. We also ended our days with check-ins to ensure everyone's well-being, fostering a culture of mutual support that extended throughout the team.
Amid the demanding management of this complex property, I aimed to nurture and mentor these four outstanding women who displayed tremendous promise. Today, I'm immensely proud that each of them successfully manages their own properties, a testament to their dedication and our strong mentorship.
These four individuals represent my greatest career achievement, fueling my passion for mentoring and supporting others in our industry to reach new heights. I will continue this journey, contributing to the growth and success of future industry professionals.
Given your past experiences, what event/ project or moment would you revisit and how would you go about it differently based on your current frame of mind?
- If I could revisit the lease-up project in New York from years back with my current frame of mind, I would prioritize open communication and collaboration. Rather than solely focusing on perfection and individual success, I would actively engage with my direct manager and peers.
I would establish daily conversations with them, seeking their insights and ideas. Recognizing the value of teamwork, I would foster a more open relationship with my direct manager, ensuring that I could ask for additional help when needed and tap into her exceptional expertise.
In my current mindset, I would overcome the fear of failure and actively seek a mentor. I understand that collaboration and learning from others are key to personal and professional growth.
Furthermore, I have adopted a proactive approach to continuous improvement. Rather than waiting for post-project "lessons learned" reviews, I now conduct these reviews on a weekly basis. This allows me to quickly adjust and grow, ensuring that I consistently deliver exceptional results in all my endeavors. While the lease-up project was successful, I believe that this proactive approach would have led to even greater achievements and ongoing growth for the organization.
From your perspective, what is the industry lacking to support the modern renter and how do you plan to help supply that need?
- The industry is diverse and dynamic, with numerous verticals striving to meet the evolving needs of renters. However, a significant gap lies in fostering holistic collaboration between these verticals to keep pace with renters' changing demands. While technology is introduced to enhance the rental experience, the disconnect between developers, construction, marketing, and onsite teams often hinders the rapid implementation of innovations.
To address this issue and better serve renters, my plan is to advocate and actively participate in fostering collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders. By bringing together these different teams from the initial conception of a project, we can ensure that the product aligns with renters' expectations and needs. For instance, in the era of remote work, empty workstations can be transformed into productive spaces with the right technology, benefiting renters who continue to work from home.
As my career progresses and I gain additional exposure, I will champion the involvement of onsite teams in decision-making processes, emphasizing the importance of their insights. This approach will enable us to create communities that offer not just upgraded technology but also a positive social experience, neighborhood cohesion, and easy access to community information, ultimately meeting the needs of the modern renter.