When Leadership Doesn't Show Up

This one's for my fellow real estate agents, brokers, loan originators, or anyone out there grinding in real estate or the corporate world.

I once took a job thinking I’d be mentored, truly guided, by someone at the top of their game. You know, the kind of leader who doesn’t just talk big but makes time for the team. What I got was a few inspirational Facebook posts and an unread voicemail.

At first, I was disappointed. I had shown up with experience, drive, and the willingness to learn. But what I learned instead was this: when leadership doesn’t show up, it’s on you to rise higher. And I did.

I started thinking more critically about how I’d run things, not just for me, but for the next person down the line. I paid attention to what helped me grow and what left me spinning my wheels. I realized that what people need isn’t just a boss. They need a leader who listens. A mentor who teaches. A team that shows up.

That experience? It made me sharper. Hungrier. Better.

Now, as Cano Realty grows, I think back to those moments with gratitude. Because the leadership I didn’t get taught me how to lead. Not with ego. Not with titles. But with clarity, support, and a whole lot of care.

So if you’ve ever felt overlooked or undervalued, use it. Not as a chip on your shoulder, but as fuel to build something better. That’s the work. That’s the lesson.

Forever a draft & with love,

Jesse E. Cano, Jr