Commercial Real Estate Leadership (CRE Success)

Darren Krakowiak
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This is the Commercial Real Estate Leadership podcast. The show is hosted by Darren Krakowiak, the Founder of CRE Success. Inside the CRE Success Revenue Accelerator, Darren helps commercial real estate principals to lead their people better, grow their businesses faster and have less stress in their lives. Send an email with 'GROW' in the subject line to hello@cresuccess.co for more information. CRE Success Agent Accelerator is our program for commercial real estate agents who want to upgrade their skills, elevate their mindset and get the accountability they need to grow their production by $100,000 or more. Visit cresuccess.co/waitlist for your invite to join. This podcast was previously known as CRE Success: The Podcast (until episode 158).

  1. Stop Blaming the Market

    1D AGO

    Stop Blaming the Market

    If your year in commercial real estate is not tracking the way you expected, this episode is a timely reset. In episode 257 of Commercial Real Estate Leadership, Darren Krakowiak explains how to stop blaming the market and start fixing the part of your business that is actually within your control: lead generation. As part of the four-part series on Pipeline, Prospecting, and Production Power, this episode focuses on the top of the revenue pipeline. Darren breaks down how leads flow through meetings, listings, offers, and negotiations, and why a blockage at the very top creates pressure everywhere else. In slower or uncertain markets, relying on referrals and inbound enquiries is rarely enough. Darren challenges principals and agents to create their own market through consistent, persistent, and proactive prospecting. He also explains why many professionals need to work harder to generate the same number of leads, and in some cases, why they may need more leads than before due to longer deal cycles and lower conversion rates. You'll learn: 🔹 How to identify where your pipeline is breaking down 🔹 Why blaming the market keeps you stuck 🔹 The three non-negotiables of effective prospecting 🔹 When to increase lead volume to protect your income If your pipeline feels thin and your results feel off track, this episode provides a clear framework to course correct and rebuild momentum. --- Email hello@cresuccess.co and put the word "GROW" in the subject line to take the first step towards accelerating revenue growth in your commercial real estate agency with the right people on your team, serving ideal clients inside a business that just works. Visit the CRE Success website: cresuccess.co Read the episode anecdote, get the transcript and watch the video recording of the podcast here: cresuccess.co/blog/257 To share this episode or your thoughts on it, tag us on socials: @cresuccess or use our hashtag: #cresuccess If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Connect with Darren Krakowiak on LinkedIn Podcast music sourced from audioblocks.com

    11 min
  2. The Prospecting Model Every Agent Needs

    FEB 11

    The Prospecting Model Every Agent Needs

    Strong pipelines in commercial real estate are not built by chance. They are built through disciplined prospecting habits that compound over time. In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Leadership, Darren Krakowiak breaks down the three most important principles of commercial real estate prospecting: consistent, persistent, and proactive.  Referred to as the Wholly Trinity of prospecting, these principles underpin every high-performing pipeline and remain critical for commercial real estate agents who want to win more listings and do more deals. This episode kicks off a four-part series focused on Pipeline, Prospecting, and Production Power. Darren explains why prospecting must be scheduled daily, how follow-up separates professionals from amateurs, and why relying solely on inbound inquiry creates risk in your future pipeline. Rather than treating prospecting as a sales activity, this episode reframes it as a lead generation and connection process. The focus is on purposeful action, listening more than talking, and setting realistic next steps that build momentum instead of creating pressure. What you'll get from this episode: •        Why daily prospecting is non-negotiable for pipeline stability •        How persistence and multi-pronged follow up increases connection rates •        The difference between being proactive versus waiting for inquiry •        How to prospect without sounding desperate or salesy This is essential listening for commercial real estate agents who want control, confidence, and consistency in their pipeline. --- Email hello@cresuccess.co and put the word "GROW" in the subject line to take the first step towards accelerating revenue growth in your commercial real estate agency with the right people on your team, serving ideal clients inside a business that just works. If prospecting is a skill you want to keep sharpening at any stage of your commercial real estate career, grab the free A to Z of CRE Prospecting at cresuccess.co/abc which includes 26 practical ideas to help you immediately uplevel your prospecting activity. Visit the CRE Success website: cresuccess.co Read the episode anecdote, get the transcript and watch the video recording of the podcast here: cresuccess.co/blog/256 To share this episode or your thoughts on it, tag us on socials: @cresuccess or use our hashtag: #cresuccess If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Connect with Darren Krakowiak on LinkedIn Podcast music sourced from audioblocks.com

    12 min
  3. How to Start Prospecting Today

    FEB 4

    How to Start Prospecting Today

    Do you find yourself procrastinating when you know you should be prospecting? In episode 255 of Commercial Real Estate Leadership, Darren Krakowiak of CRE Success breaks down practical, low-pressure ways to get started with prospecting and build real momentum in your pipeline. This episode is designed as a circuit breaker for commercial real estate professionals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin. Rather than aggressive cold outreach, Darren reframes prospecting as a series of conversations that gradually build confidence, context, and opportunity. Drawing on personal experience and listener questions, the episode walks through a simple progression for prospecting, starting with people you already know and moving toward new, ideal prospects over time. It is especially relevant for agents early in their career, those moving into a new market, or anyone struggling to turn intention into action. You will learn: 🔹 Why prospecting is about starting conversations, not closing deals 🔹 How to reduce pressure and stop overthinking outreach 🔹 Where to start if you do not know who to call 🔹 How warm introductions and context improve results 🔹 Why momentum matters more than perfect timing If procrastination has been slowing your pipeline, this episode offers a practical reset and a clear path forward to help you begin, build confidence, and create consistent prospecting momentum. --- Email hello@cresuccess.co and put the word "GROW" in the subject line to take the first step towards accelerating revenue growth in your commercial real estate agency with the right people on your team, serving ideal clients inside a business that just works. If prospecting is a skill you want to keep sharpening at any stage of your commercial real estate career, grab the free A to Z of CRE Prospecting at cresuccess.co/abc which includes 26 practical ideas to help you immediately uplevel your prospecting activity. Visit the CRE Success website: cresuccess.co Read the episode anecdote, get the transcript and watch the video recording of the podcast here: cresuccess.co/blog/255 To share this episode or your thoughts on it, tag us on socials: @cresuccess or use our hashtag: #cresuccess If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Connect with Darren Krakowiak on LinkedIn Podcast music sourced from audioblocks.com

    14 min
  4. Stop Plodding. Start Producing.

    JAN 28

    Stop Plodding. Start Producing.

    In Episode 254 of Commercial Real Estate Leadership, Darren Krakowiak explores how controlled aggression drives results in commercial real estate.  Many agents and leaders work hard but not at a level of proactivity and decisiveness that creates traction. Darren reframes "aggression" as purposeful action that accelerates momentum, creates opportunity, and helps you get the business you already should be winning. This is the third instalment in the special series designed to help you launch 2026 with clarity and confidence. This week, Darren shares practical ways to be more assertive: in pursuing business, expanding into new markets, tackling bigger deals, and improving follow up and negotiation. What You'll Learn: • Why controlled aggression accelerates momentum. • How to pursue business outside your comfort zone. • Ways to handle follow up and prospecting with purpose. • What aggressive negotiations look like without being reckless. Throughout the episode, Darren challenges listeners to step out of "plodder" mode, push beyond limiting beliefs, and take decisive action that drives measurable results. Whether you're an agent or a leader, this episode gives you practical strategies for getting unstuck and producing more in 2026. Tune in and reframe your mindset around purposeful aggression today. --- Email hello@cresuccess.co and put the word "GROW" in the subject line to take the first step towards accelerating revenue growth in your commercial real estate agency with the right people on your team, serving ideal clients inside a business that just works. If prospecting is a skill you want to keep sharpening at any stage of your commercial real estate career, grab the free A to Z of CRE Prospecting at cresuccess.co/abc – it includes 26 practical ideas to help you proactively up-level your prospecting activity. Visit the CRE Success website: cresuccess.co Read the episode anecdote, get the transcript and watch the video recording of the podcast here: cresuccess.co/blog/254 To share this episode or your thoughts on it, tag us on socials: @cresuccess or use our hashtag: #cresuccess If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Connect with Darren Krakowiak on LinkedIn Podcast music sourced from audioblocks.com

    11 min
  5. How to Start Strong in Commercial Real Estate

    JAN 21

    How to Start Strong in Commercial Real Estate

    Starting a career in commercial real estate can feel overwhelming, especially when you are competing with people who have years of experience. So in episode 253 of Commercial Real Estate Leadership, Darren Krakowiak breaks down exactly what he would do if he had to start all over again. This episode is part of the Momentum and Mindset series designed to help you begin 2026 with clarity and confidence. Darren shares six practical strategies that work in any market. These steps helped him rebuild his career twice, once after moving from Australia to Korea and again when returning home. You will learn how to choose your market, how to leverage your network, and why prospecting early builds long term value. You will also discover how to learn from experienced operators, how to position yourself as a source of value, and why realistic goals matter more at the start than big production targets. What You Will Learn: 🔹 How to pick the right market and study it effectively 🔹 Ways to learn from top performers even if you lack experience 🔹 How to build and leverage a growing network 🔹 Why early stage prospecting creates lasting career security 🔹 How to set realistic goals that build long term momentum Whether you are brand new to commercial real estate or restarting in a new market, this episode gives you a clear blueprint for a strong beginning. --- Email hello@cresuccess.co and put the word "GROW" in the subject line to take the first step towards accelerating revenue growth in your commercial real estate agency with the right people on your team, serving ideal clients inside a business that just works. If prospecting is a skill you want to keep sharpening at any stage of your commercial real estate career, grab the free A to Z of CRE Prospecting at cresuccess.co/abc which includes 26 practical ideas to help you immediately up-level your prospecting activity. Visit the CRE Success website: cresuccess.co Read the episode anecdote, get the transcript and watch the video recording of the podcast here: cresuccess.co/blog/253 To share this episode or your thoughts on it, tag us on socials: @cresuccess or use our hashtag: #cresuccess If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Connect with Darren Krakowiak on LinkedIn Podcast music sourced from audioblocks.com

    11 min
  6. The 2026 Power Combo: Clarity and Execution

    JAN 14

    The 2026 Power Combo: Clarity and Execution

    High performers in commercial real estate don't just take action… they take intentional action.  In episode 252 of Commercial Real Estate Leadership, Darren Krakowiak explains why setting goals is essential for directing effort and maximising results. This special episode kicks off a four-part series on momentum and mindset, diving into the relationship between goal setting, leadership, and sustainable success. Darren explores what happens when ambitious agents work without direction, and why leaders with big visions are uniquely positioned to unify and propel their teams. You'll discover: 🔹 Why goal-setters have a performance edge in CRE 🔹 What to do if you're not naturally a goal setter 🔹 How leaders can channel untapped team potential 🔹 The mindset that transforms hustle into progress 🔹 Why vision is non-negotiable for commercial real estate leaders If you want 2026 to be your most focused and productive year yet, this episode shows you where to start. --- Email hello@cresuccess.co and put the word "GROW" in the subject line to take the first step towards accelerating revenue growth in your commercial real estate agency with the right people on your team, serving ideal clients inside a business that just works. Visit the CRE Success website: cresuccess.co Read the episode anecdote, get the transcript and watch the video recording of the podcast here: cresuccess.co/blog/252 To share this episode or your thoughts on it, tag us on socials: @cresuccess or use our hashtag: #cresuccess If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Connect with Darren Krakowiak on LinkedIn Podcast music sourced from audioblocks.com

    9 min
  7. Turn "Happy New Year" into New Leads

    12/17/2025

    Turn "Happy New Year" into New Leads

    Starting the new year with strong commercial real estate momentum is not something you need to leave to chance. In episode 251 of Commercial Real Estate Leadership, Darren Krakowiak breaks down a simple and highly effective process called The New Year Stack of Leads, designed to help principals and agents create immediate activity in their first week back in January. Instead of returning from the break feeling sluggish or waiting weeks for momentum to rebuild, this episode shows you how to manufacture it ahead of time. By drafting thoughtful Happy New Year messages before the holidays and scheduling them for your first day back, you set yourself up for inbound inquiries from owners, landlords, and buyers who are ready to talk. Darren explains how to use the natural etiquette of a New Year greeting to open conversations that matter, create opportunities from existing relationships, and set the tone for a productive start to the new year. He also outlines a simple cadence to follow so those first emails translate into real activity. What You Will Learn: 🔹 Why New Year messages are an underrated prospecting tool 🔹 How to craft emails that spark real commercial conversations 🔹 A proven follow up cadence to increase response rates 🔹 How principals can prepare their whole team for a strong January If you want your first week back to be full of opportunity, this episode gives you the template. --- Email hello@cresuccess.co and put the word "GROW" in the subject line to take the first step towards accelerating revenue growth in your commercial real estate agency with the right people on your team, serving ideal clients inside a business that just works. Visit the CRE Success website: cresuccess.co Read the episode anecdote, get the transcript and watch the video recording of the podcast here: cresuccess.co/blog/251 To share this episode or your thoughts on it, tag us on socials: @cresuccess or use our hashtag: #cresuccess If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Connect with Darren Krakowiak on LinkedIn Podcast music sourced from audioblocks.com

    12 min
  8. How Leaders Influence Agent Confidence

    12/10/2025

    How Leaders Influence Agent Confidence

    Commercial real estate agent performance is often influenced by both mindset and market conditions. In episode 250 of Commercial Real Estate Leadership, Darren Krakowiak breaks down what he has learned after onboarding 45 agents into Agent Accelerator over the past three months, and how an agent's confidence levels signal what is ahead for them in 2026. Darren shares the key question he asks every agent during onboarding: how optimistic or pessimistic they feel about their expected performance over the next 12 months. He then unpacks the second question that reveals the real story: what is driving that score. Listeners will hear the clear distinction between internal factors such as effort, belief, and momentum, and external factors such as market conditions, competition, or inquiry levels. Darren explains why top performers lean into internal drivers, ask stronger questions, and take ownership of their outcomes. This episode also includes a transparent breakdown of Darren's recent Black Friday & Cyber Monday campaign for Agent Accelerator, the lessons he learned, and why leaders should be evaluating their own messaging and mindset with the same honesty. What You Will Learn: 🔹 Why agent optimism is a reliable predictor of future performance 🔹 How internal drivers shape stronger results 🔹 Why external excuses limit confidence and capability 🔹 How leadership influences the questions teams ask 🔹 The value of objectively reviewing campaigns and missed targets If you want you and your team to perform with confidence in 2026, this episode will show you what to look for and what to shift. --- If you're a commercial real estate agent earning under $500K GCI who wants complete clarity on how to break through to the next level in 2026, grab your spot in The 2026 Game Plan Workshop at cresuccess.co/gameplan Email hello@cresuccess.co and put the word "GROW" in the subject line to take the first step towards accelerating revenue growth in your commercial real estate agency with the right people on your team, serving ideal clients inside a business that just works. Visit the CRE Success website: cresuccess.co Read the episode anecdote, get the transcript and watch the video recording of the podcast here: cresuccess.co/blog/250 To share this episode or your thoughts on it, tag us on socials: @cresuccess or use our hashtag: #cresuccess If you enjoy the show, leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Connect with Darren Krakowiak on LinkedIn Podcast music sourced from audioblocks.com

    13 min
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This is the Commercial Real Estate Leadership podcast. The show is hosted by Darren Krakowiak, the Founder of CRE Success. Inside the CRE Success Revenue Accelerator, Darren helps commercial real estate principals to lead their people better, grow their businesses faster and have less stress in their lives. Send an email with 'GROW' in the subject line to hello@cresuccess.co for more information. CRE Success Agent Accelerator is our program for commercial real estate agents who want to upgrade their skills, elevate their mindset and get the accountability they need to grow their production by $100,000 or more. Visit cresuccess.co/waitlist for your invite to join. This podcast was previously known as CRE Success: The Podcast (until episode 158).

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