As we reflect on this last year, we wanted to re-air this great conversation with David D’Amore, Assistant Vice President – Facility Services at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.! In this episode, he brings a refreshingly practical and grounded perspective to leadership. His journey illustrates how embracing discomfort, leaning into unfamiliar challenges, and staying aligned with clear organizational priorities can shape a more capable, confident, and influential facility leader.
In this episode, you’ll hear how David’s philosophy of intentional growth has guided his career and why pushing beyond your comfort zone is essential for developing resilience, strategic clarity, and team cohesion. He also breaks down the pillars that have shaped his approach to managing complex operations, fostering collaboration across departments, and navigating change with consistency and purpose.
Additionally, David offers thoughtful insights on continuous learning, strengthening cross-functional partnerships, and understanding the broader business impacts that facility teams influence every day.
Takeaways:
- Embrace Discomfort for Growth: David emphasized the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone by taking on new, challenging tasks to experience growth in any role.
- Engage in Cross-functional Collaboration: Avoid silos by encouraging regular communication and collaboration across different departments and teams to enhance problem-solving and innovation.
- Align Personal and Organizational Goals: Understand both your company’s global and departmental goals, and align your personal objectives to contribute effectively to the overall mission.
- Manage Risks Proactively: Identify potential risks early in your projects and work processes, and develop strategies to mitigate them. This includes understanding the impact of your performance on your organization’s goals and reputation.
- Set and Communicate Clear Goals: Establish clear, measurable goals for yourself and your team, ensuring they are aligned with broader organizational objectives to create a sense of purpose and direction.
- Invest in Continuous Learning: Seek out regular learning opportunities, such as books, courses, or certifications, to stay updated and improve your skill set. David recommended resources like Essentials of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers by Edward Fields.
- Highlight the Value of Tasks: Ensure everyone understands the importance of the tasks they are assigned and how they contribute to the bigger picture, which can boost motivation and reduce burnout.
Quote of the Show:
- “ You are not truly experiencing growth unless you're uncomfortable.”
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