Leadership isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about the daily choices that build trust, drive results, and shape culture. At Hartman, leadership is a lived experience, rooted in biblical principles, integrity, and performance. We have built a billion-dollar real estate portfolio by focusing on servant leadership, accountability, and team growth. Below are the five daily habits that define truly effective leaders and practices we live out at Hartman every day.
1. Prioritize Time Management
Time is a leader’s most precious resource. Effective leaders manage it intentionally, blocking out time for strategy, deep work, and reflection.
At Hartman, team members are trained in “SPA Time” (Strategic Planning Appointments) at the end of each day. This is a 15–30 minute window to review progress, prioritize tasks, and plan for tomorrow. Every employee identifies their “Top 6” most important priorities for the next day to ensure alignment and productivity.
Al Hartman models this rigor with a structured schedule that balances strategic growth with being hands-on with team members, investors, and tenants. It’s not about being busy but about being effective.
2. Practice Active Listening
Listening is a core skill of servant leadership. Effective leaders actively listen to their teams, clients, and communities, and seek to understand before responding.
At Hartman, listening is built into how we serve. One-on-one meetings, team huddles, and customer feedback loops ensure that voices are heard. We’ve built tenant relationships that span decades because we proactively listen, follow up, and adapt to needs.
As Hartman’s leadership philosophy notes, “Leadership effectiveness is measured by how well we develop our most appreciable asset: our people,” and listening is the first step in that development.
3. Maintain Clarity in Communication
Confusion kills execution. Great leaders communicate expectations clearly, define success precisely, and reinforce the “why” behind every initiative.
At Hartman, this takes the form of regular strategic planning sessions, department scorecards, and structured meeting cadences. Our DART method (Delivery, Accountability, Responsibility, Timing) breaks annual goals into clear, trackable 13-week sprints, ensuring every team member knows their priorities.
Clear communication, from the C-suite to the maintenance team, is part of what has made Hartman one of the top-performing REITs in the country.
4. Hold Yourself and Others Accountable
Accountability is where leadership moves from words to action. Hartman’s Core Value #5 says it plainly: We are accountable and honor commitments.
Every employee is measured on performance through scorecards, with bonuses tied to goals achieved. Leaders model integrity by doing what they say and holding others to the same standard. There are no excuses – only results and responsibility.
This accountability creates a culture of excellence. We believe “how you do anything is how you do everything,” and we live that out in every interaction with tenants, partners, and one another.
5. Invest in Continuous Learning
The best leaders are always learning. Whether through books, mentors, reflection, or faith, they seek out growth.
Al Hartman’s commitment to learning is woven into the company DNA. Hartman team members participate in company-wide training, leadership development programs, and group workshops that integrate values with business excellence. Guest speakers, personal development plans, and leadership coaching help every employee grow personally and professionally.
We believe that “leaders add value by serving others and by putting them first,” and that means investing in their development every step of the way.
Leadership is not a role. It’s a daily commitment. At Hartman, we build leaders by instilling discipline, clarity, accountability, and a passion for growth in everything we do.
Want to become a more effective leader?
Start by showing up every day with purpose.
Start by serving. Start by listening.
Start by implementing these five simple habits and watch your impact multiply.
