Part 2
The Power of Mentorship in Commercial Real Estate
Mentorship in Divaris’ Washington, D.C. office doesn’t belong to just one person. It belongs to everyone. And it thrives through an “it takes a village” style of collaboration, where new associates aren’t assigned one person to learn from, they get the entire team.
That’s been the experience of Joey Lee, the newest associate in our D.C office. “It’s pretty unique,” Joey described. “I’ve been able to bounce around and be mentored by a lot of different people here. Everyone has their own style, and I’ve learned something valuable from each of them.”
It’s not about being paired with one person; it’s about proximity. The D.C. office itself naturally supports this culture, with its bullpen-style setup and open doors, conversations spill into shared space. Being in the middle of the action, new team members are able to absorb the rhythms of Divaris brokerage in real time.
That openness is intentional. Seasoned brokers in D.C. work transparently, exposing newer associates to everything from the psychology of client conversations to deal mechanics.
“No one cares how much you know…until they know how much you care,” explains Executive Vice President, Erik Ulsaker. He admits the phrase sounds like something out of a fortune cookie, but for Erik, this is more than a cliché statement, it’s a fundamental principle for doing business. It shows how asking the right questions, listening, and building authentic client relationships is just as important as technical expertise.
Assistant Vice President, Amit Grover also added, “You must have (or be) the spark in a meeting or introduction. It’s that initial spark and energy you bring to the table that can lead to a deal…or even better, a lasting relationship.”
Even as a brand-new associate, Joey has already begun providing that spark, contributing value to the team while learning from a range of perspectives around him. His own advice to others just starting out in the industry:
“Be a sponge. Learn from everyone you meet. Approach everything with a growth mindset, and know that it’s all about the long game, so just keep showing up.”
The D.C. team is living proof that mentorship is collaborative, showing how growth happens best when everyone has a hand in it!
Photographed:
Steve Blum, Shadi Ayyoubi, Joey Lee, Thomas Walsh, Erik Ulsaker, Matthew Garcia, and Amit Grover