Don Ha - Leadership is a habit

 

What does this real estate magnate do in the current market? He adapts fast, rolls up his sleeves and works harder & smarter.

You can learn a lot from Don Ha just in one meeting. The different idea's that he espouses jostle for attention as he outlines all of his plans. He pulls out a Samurai sword from a large drawer to illustrate the point that symbols are important in business. For him and his team, it's a reminder that you need to stay sharp in everything you do. No amount of "blunt" unimaginative thinking will pull you through in this environment. He tells me how he looks forward to completing his next book. He shows his sales figures (lying on the table) demonstrating impressive growth on last year.

He almost always seems to have too much on. However - it's managed chaos. He has a plan and works daily, if not hourly towards his focussed outcomes, even if it means ignoring some tasks completely- that is his level of focus. He achieves everything he sets out to complete- even if he has to create another (alternative) path to get there.

It can't be all roses right now. Don Ha's broad smile belies a tough and uncompromising business mind in an unusual market. While most people know him as a Rich-Lister with a rags-to-riches story, few are aware of his aspirations around making an impact beyond the world of business. He feels a sense of responsibility in helping to eradicate poverty in some way. One of his goals one day is to hold public office where he can influence policy making. In the meantime he is happy to teach people his way of thinking- about his obsession - property.

When he is not selling property, he is showing people how to do it (yes in this market) from the stage or in his every day conversations. He dreamed up an idea for a "Construction Stimulus Package" recently and is busy working through in his own mind how the Government supporting this industry will assist society as a whole.

Like many inspired people - he has his detractors and his loyal following. Where you sit on this spectrum will depend on whether his laser focus has touched your area of life or business. He is a 60 minutes program just waiting to happen. He is pushing through the market conditions with his trademark enthusiasm and blinkers. Nothing and no-one will stand in his way. Don has a habit of enthusiastically moving mountains (of houses) one brick at a time. Just don't be in his way. For Don, hands-on leadership is a habit.

Don tells us what drives him forward this winter, as we head out of this recession...

Hometown

Auckland

Hobbies & Interests

Horse racing, golf, fishing, fine dining and music.

My Companies & other Roles

* Don Ha Real Estate Ltd MREINZ (Ray White Manukau Office)
* Author of "Make a Million selling Real Estate (now writing my biography)
* Speaker
* Consultant to PropertyTutors.com
* Investor
* Race Horse Owner

My Favourite Time of the day is...(and why)

After 8.30pm to 11pm is the best time for myself no interruptions from business or kids.

I really enjoy...

* Being around successful people through my coaching in sales & investments
* Quiet time - I engineer time that is "noise" free.
* Action movies.

What 3 actions does it take to go from "so called" rags to riches?

Work endless hours, have a vision and be fearless.

How are you personally coping with a post property-boom, recessionary New Zealand?

So far, our sales is actually up on last year this time. It's sorted out the wheat from the chaff. People now know that they are dealing with true professionals - the ones that are surviving and thriving.

What have been your main challenges in the last 6 months?

Getting people to think and work the same way I do

How have you overcome them?

Lead by example - do it myself

List a few of your recent accomplishments that you are proud of:

* Sales results have increased from 2008
* Turning 40,
* A new baby boy, third child feel complete as a family now.

Did you celebrate them? How?

A private party with close friends.

My latest Idea

I have an idea for a "construction stimulus package". The Government should provide low interest rates for construction sector to create employment for all sub-contractors.

What keeps me up at night?

The challenges in front of me, both new ones and old ones.

What drove you to become involved in your industry?

Unlimited income potential and to do my own thing.

My big hairy audacious goal this year is to:

Charter a Boeing 380 for staff holiday.

I knew I was onto something when:

I was always excited to go to work and knowing I could see and "taste" everything that I would bring into reality in the next few years.

My secret for getting things done is to:

Do them immediately and not worry about 100 per cent details.

My darkest hour was when:

My company went from selling 65 properties per month to selling 12 per month- that lit a fire under me.

I came through it by:

Physically handling everything myself, hands on and put in the extra hours, I use to work 70 hours per week.

What do you do to cope with stress?

Gardening.

How many hours do you work each week?

Now 40 hours

What do you do when things aren't going your way?

Invent other ways so it can go my way.

What is the most important piece of advice you'd give to people who are struggling to create a positive change in their lives?

Think of the fire victims, earthquake victims and war victims. We are in a far better position than them - would you trade your position for theirs?

What is the hardest lesson you've had to learn in life?

Can't trust everyone.

What separates successful people from unsuccessful people?

Fear of failure instead of learning through the failure.

Do you have any daily rituals that help you keep focused and in the right mental state to succeed?

I am extremely goal focussed with a fanatical objective of being productive every hour of the working day.

Do you have any school/study qualifications?

Just school certificate -that's all.

What are the three most important personal qualities you've had to develop to become a leader?

Respect for your team, be prepared to do what your staff do, provide vision, information on market trends directly and weekly. Get in there and make it happen - lead by example.

What are the three most important skills that you would advise up and coming youngsters to develop?

Work first party later, prepare to work 12 hours a day believe you can be number # 1 in your field

Who inspires you the most and why?

Barrack Obama, he achieved the impossible dream.

Do you have a formal goal setting process? -

I use my intuition- my only goal is to be number # 1 in my field

Have you ever been scared to .........? What did you do about it?

Parachuting, nothing.

What comes first...success or confidence? -

Confidence

* Dwayne Alexander is founder of LiveMyGoals. Follow him on Twitter