In this episode, John Kitchens sits down with industry leader Cindi Featherstone-Shields to uncover the power of community in both real estate and leadership. From dominating her East Texas golf course community to building one of the most agent-centric offices in the business, Cindi reveals the strategies that have made her business recession-proof.

They dive into why true success isn’t about transactions—it’s about relationships. From moving trucks and margarita Fridays to 8:30 a.m. accountability calls and Working Genius assessments, Cindi has built a culture where clients feel loved, agents feel supported, and business continues to thrive no matter the market.

This is a masterclass in creating connection, leading with authenticity, and building a business that fuels both profits and fulfillment.

Building Client Communities That Last

• Why embedding yourself in a neighborhood makes your business recession-proof

• How events, moving trucks, and small touches create lifelong clients

• Turning past clients into friends—and friends into repeat customers

Leading Through Agent-Centric Culture

• How Cindi designed her office to feel like a coffee shop, not a brokerage

• The role of Working Genius in aligning agents with their strengths

• Why daily 8:30 Zoom huddles are non-negotiable for accountability

The Power of Events & Experiences

• From golf tournaments to Christmas parties: why shared experiences fuel referrals

• Why spending on food and hospitality beats spending on funnels

• How to gamify agent production with challenges and competitions

Mindset & Long-Term Growth

• Why chasing listings (not buyers) creates leverage

• The danger of “backup plans” in real estate success

• Why the best leaders never stop showing up for their people

• Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni – Framework for leadership and team alignment

• HoneyBadgerNation.com – Coaching, training, and community for growth-minded agents

• Cindi’s Nonprofit: Wags – Supporting rescue animals through fundraising

• John Kitchens Executive Coaching → JohnKitchens.coach

Community is the ultimate competitive advantage. When you invest in people—whether it’s clients or agents—you create loyalty, referrals, and impact that no market shift can take away.

“This is not transactional business. This is about loving people, supporting them, and becoming part of their lives.” – Cindi Shields

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