Kris Lindahl is a business leader, thought leader, entrepreneur and founder of Kris Lindahl Real Estate. Kris is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Kris provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of Kris Lindahl Real Estate and joins other entrepreneur and founder ‘s taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Kris Lindahl, business leader, thought leader, entrepreneur, and founder of Kris Lindahl Real Estate join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.
Kris Lindahl is a business leader, thought leader, entrepreneur and founder of Kris Lindahl Real Estate, one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent real estate brokerages. His story is a classic tale of hard work, determination and resilience. While in high school, he lost his father in a tragic road accident. The need to survive on his own accelerated his inate entrepreneurship, and he completed his B.A. in education while also managing several businesses. After graduating from college, he ventured into real estate and never looked back. He quickly became Minnesota’s #1 real estate agent, then established a real estate team within an existing brokerage that also rose to #1 in the state. Following that experience, he declared his “innovation independence” and founded Kris Lindahl Real Estate in May 2018. In just two years, KLRE has tripled in size and was recently ranked by Real Trends and the #1 team-owned brokerage in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and #12 in the country.
In addition to being a nationally sought-after motivational speaker and Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal “40 Under 40” winner, Kris is also a bestselling author (Sold!) and popular podcast host (The Kris Lindahl Show). But he’s most proud of two other parts of his life: his philanthropic efforts as founder of the Be Generous Project; and his daughter, who he often takes out to Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes for some quality fishing time.
Let’s start by telling us about your business.
Kris Lindahl Real Estate is a team-based real estate company that helps home buyers, sellers and investors achieve their goals quickly and with maximum convenience. We’re out to change real estate as we know it, transforming a highly traditional industry that’s been set in its ways for decades into something new, advanced and consumer-friendly.
Q: Please tell us how you make sure your customers will become raving fans of your company?
In a nutshell, we do that by orienting our entire business around the consumer. When buyers and sellers work with us, they have an experience that’s more like what they’re used to with consumer brands like Apple and Amazon: more choices, better products and a high-level of customer service. We’re also a purpose-based company that emphasizes being generous with our customers, our industry, our communities and each other. When I interview new agents, they almost always bring up our work in the community as their main attraction to our company.
Q: Please tell us the one thing that separates your business from the competition?
Our willingness to think outside the box. Compared to us—our marketing, our products, our internal operations and technology—other real estate brokerages look like they’re stuck in the past. We have a different look, a different attitude and a different perspective on how best to serve people. In the “sea of same” of traditional real estate, our authentic brand sticks out and gets people’s attention.
Q: And to finish this section, please tell us what is the one major key to your company’s success?
The key to our success is seeing around corners. When Apple invented the smartphone, they solved a problem people didn’t realize they had. Uber did the same thing, showing people how inconvenient traditional cab service really was. That’s our mindset with real estate. We don’t just think “better”; we think “different.”
Q: For our readers just starting to build a company, what advice can you give entrepreneurs just starting out with a new venture?
Similar to what I just said above: Don’t just think about how to do something better; think about how to do it differently. Think about an entirely new category of company or product that you can create and deliver. Don’t ask people what problems you can solve for them; solve problems they don’t even know they have. That’s the key to building real value and long-term success in business.
Q: For entrepreneurs seeking to build a business as successful as yours, what’s one big piece of advice can you give them when times get a little challenging?
Take a step back and ask yourself if you’re investing enough in the personal and professional development of yourself and your team members. In my experience, that’s always the key to getting out of a rut or overcoming a challenge. You should operationalize the process of always making yourself and your employees better. When you have that kind of culture on the inside, it gives you the momentum to succeed in the marketplace.
Q: In today’s fast changing business environment, how do you stay abreast of things?
I’m relentlessly curious. I have a large network of people from different backgrounds and professions. I listen to tons of podcasts. I go to conferences and seminars. I consume material not only related to real estate, but also to other topics—leadership, branding, innovation, philanthropy, etc.
Q: What is your “Why”? In one sentence, why do you get up in the morning?
To help people. That’s our mantra at Kris Lindahl Real Estate: We exist to help people, period.
Q: In one sentence, what is the most important thing one has to do to be a great leader?
commit to being both a student and a teacher for the rest of your life.
Q: In one sentence, describe how important your customers are to your business?
My customers aren’t just “customers”; they’re people, family, friends, community members, and part of our larger movement to create a more generous world.
Q: In one sentence, describe a positive way that technology can make the world a better place?
Technology has the power to make virtually everything we do more efficient, but more importantly, it gives us all the power to spread kindness and generosity.
Q: In one sentence, tell us how something positive to motivate our readers?
It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from or what you think your abilities are, you truly do have the power and platform to make people’s lives better—today more than ever.
Q: In one sentence, tell us how you start your day to get ready?
Energy and education without caffeine: up at 5 a.m. to bike, walk, run or play basketball, followed by reading, videos, podcasts or books to keep learning.
Q: In one sentence, describe how you handle rejection and setback?
I see it as a gift and an opportunity to keep learning.
Q: In one sentence, describe what your hiring philosophy is?
Hire people who are personally driven but also team players, who see every challenge as an opportunity, and who think beyond themselves.
Q: In one sentence, describe how you keep your sanity in a competitive business environment?
I’m only sane when I’m IN a competitive business environment, so the real question is, “How would I keep my sanity in an NON-competitive business environment?” : )
Kris Lindahl , thank you so much for participating in the DotCom Magazine Leader Roundtable Interview Series. We appreciate you participating in this important roundtable interview series, and helping our readers learn more about what it takes to build a great company and become a great leader. We wish you, your family, and of course Kris Lindahl Real Estate, nothing but the best.
