In this episode of The Journey, Leo sits down with Chris Lunney — a decorated Canadian Armed Forces Major turned real estate developer and Managing Partner at TLA Developments. After leading critical missions like Afghanistan withdrawals and pandemic logistics, Chris now builds multifamily housing across Alberta and British Columbia with a calm precision forged in combat.
But this episode isn’t just about development. It’s about leadership under pressure, aligning values with execution, and building something that lasts — from the inside out. Chris unpacks how his military frameworks shape every decision, how to navigate bureaucracy with trust and integrity, and what most developers get wrong when it comes to due diligence and partnerships.
Whether you’re in real estate, operations, or simply trying to lead better — this one’s packed with wisdom.
🔑 Key Takeaways
Why development sometimes feels harder than deployment
How military values like integrity and clarity shape business success
The real cost of poor due diligence — and how to avoid it
Why every project starts with human intelligence, not just spreadsheets
How to evaluate municipalities like a long-term relationship
The 5-step framework Chris uses to greenlight new markets
What “leadership through presence” actually looks like
Why you should build systems before you need them
How to lead calmly when things go sideways
What Alex Hormozi and Afghanistan taught Chris about pressure
// TIMESTAMPS //00:00 – Intro & Welcome01:32 – From Military to Real Estate: Chris’s Story04:33 – Resilience, Vision, and Why Purpose Anchors You06:48 – Military Lessons That Work (and Don’t) in Business09:33 – Why Development Feels Personal: From Hammer to High-Rises12:00 – Building Culture: Trust, Check-ins & Clear Roles16:07 – Municipality Risk: The Iceberg You Can Avoid21:01 – Speed vs. Certainty in Land Use Approvals23:15 – Chris’s 5-Step Framework for Evaluating New Markets31:24 – How Deep Diligence Saves You Years35:41 – What Surprised Chris Most About Development38:12 – The 3-Cups-of-Tea Model for Building Trust40:18 – Dating Your Municipality: The Marriage Analogy42:44 – Learning From Partners & Avoiding the Red Dress45:18 – People Who Shaped Chris (and Why Failure Is Tuition)47:42 – Alex Hormozi, Vision, and the Midnight “Crush”50:15 – Final Reflections on Leadership and Preparation
🤝 CONNECT WITH CHRISWebsite: https://www.tladev.ca
👋 CONNECT WITH LEO
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-young/
Want to invest with us? https://tidycal.com/leoyoungrealestate/investor-alignment-call
Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not financial, legal, or tax advice and should not be relied upon as such. All investments carry risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Any mention of investment opportunities is not an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities. Offers, if any, will be made only through official offering documents and only to qualified, accredited investors in jurisdictions where permitted by law. You should consult with your own financial, legal, and tax advisors before making any investment decisions.
Keywordsreal estate development, Canadian real estate, military mindset, leadership, integrity, multifamily housing, due diligence, market research, municipal approvals, team building, project management, partnerships, long-term thinking, stress management, Alex Hormozi, Chris Lunney