For Jesse Sinclair, leadership wasn’t something he set out to pursue. It developed naturally through experience, perspective and a willingness to step forward when an opportunity arose.

“I don’t think I always saw myself as a leader,” Jesse says. “You reach a certain point where people are looking to you, whether it’s age or experience in the industry, and you realize, ‘Okay, I’ve got that perspective now.’”

Today, as a CREB^® committee chair, Jesse sees leadership less as being the loudest voice in the room and more as creating space for others to contribute.

“Leadership looks like seeing where a need is required and going in to fill that need and help out where you think you can make a difference,” he says of his decision to join the Board Development and Leadership Standing Committee in 2024.

Creating space for different perspectives

Jesse describes one of his strengths as his ability to remain calm, step outside his own perspective and look at an issue objectively.

As a committee chair, that doesn’t necessarily mean driving the discussion himself. Instead, he focuses on creating an environment where committee members can have productive conversations and reach decisions together.

“I’m more or less providing the environment for the discussion to take place and helping the team and the committee make the decisions that need to be made,” he says.
That collaborative process is also one of the things Jesse values most about volunteering with CREB^®.

With technology and cloud-based brokerages changing how REALTORS^® work, there can be fewer opportunities to connect with colleagues face to face. Committee involvement creates a space for those conversations to happen.

“You can work with someone and never even meet them,” Jesse says. “To be able to see them in person and have the conversations before the meeting and after the meeting, that’s incredibly valuable.”

Those conversations can lead to new perspectives, practical tips and different approaches to business that members may not encounter in their day-to-day work.
A seat at the table — and a chance to grow.

Volunteering has also helped Jesse develop professionally.

Participating in group discussions and, more recently, chairing meetings has given him opportunities to practise public speaking, facilitate conversations and become more comfortable with how effective meetings and decision-making processes work.

More importantly, committee involvement gives members a chance to contribute directly.

“If you join a committee and you’ve got a seat at the table, you have your voice to share,” Jesse says.

And members may see the impact of those conversations sooner than they expect.

“You make a decision in committee, and you can see that as early as the next meeting,” he says. “You don’t have to wait to see your decision making a difference.”

Resilience that comes from the profession

CREB^® is looking for volunteers who bring different experiences, perspectives and strengths to the table, including people who are collaborative, insightful, strategic and resilient.

For Jesse, one quality stands out: resilience.

“I’m going to say resilient because I’m in sales — we’re all REALTORS^® here. You have to be resilient,” he says.

Adversity is part of working in real estate, regardless of how long someone has been in the profession. Jesse says experience has taught him not to let setbacks stop his momentum.

“Things go sideways. You have problems. You’ve got to let it shed and just move on and keep it moving.”

That resilience is one of the strengths Jesse brings to his volunteer role — and an example of how the qualities members develop through their businesses can help strengthen CREB^® too.

Start by stepping forward

For members wondering whether volunteering is right for them, Jesse’s advice is simple: give it a try.

Start with a one-time volunteer opportunity and see how it feels. Or, if you’re ready for something more, consider joining a committee.

“Join a committee, get a seat at the table and see where it might lead you.”

You don’t have to already see yourself as a leader to make a difference. Sometimes, leadership starts with recognizing that you have something to contribute — and choosing to step forward.

Ready to step forward? 

Complete the Volunteer Intake form to get started. 

CREB^®’s Volunteer Leadership & Governance Services Advisor will work with you to find a way to contribute that fits your strengths, interest and experience.