BOMA Events

BYP Boardroom Session – Building Respect: How to Lead When You’re Younger Than Your Contractor and Tenants.

Speaker: Alex Akman, COO, Shindico Realty 

At our November BYP Boardroom Session, Alex Akman, COO of Shindico Realty, joined our young professionals for a practical conversation on earning respect early in your career. He emphasized the value of working hard, taking initiative, and showing that you care about the outcome. Meeting people face-to-face, staying organized, and following up all help build credibility fast.

Participants asked about balancing ambition with family life, navigating age bias, and managing challenging vendor interactions. Akman encouraged BYPs to focus on professionalism and rapport, noting that trust builds through consistency, not perfection. He also stressed the importance of ethical boundaries with vendors and the benefit of stepping back before responding during tense moments.

For those looking to advance in their career, Akman highlighted one key principle: do not end up on someone’s follow-up list. Stay ahead, bring solutions, and let steady performance speak for you. If growth is limited where you are, explore other options with a long-term mindset rather than chasing short-term gains.

The session wrapped up with encouragement to keep learning, stay engaged, and continue showing up with intention.