From Rennie to Segal: The best leadership advice from B.C.’s real estate and urban planning leaders

What wisdom drives the people shaping B.C.’s skylines and communities? BCBusiness asked some of the province’s most interesting and innovative leaders about the best leadership advice they’ve received. Here’s what they had to say.

1. Bob Rennie

Founder, Rennie

“Find one thing and do it better than anybody else.”

2. Jason Turcotte

President, OpenForm Properties

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

I happen to have gotten this advice from my wife, who is one of the strongest leaders I have met. There are many people in the world that are very knowledgeable in their craft but can’t share their knowledge with others because they fail to build trust and connection with those around them. The old sports saying rings true: the best goal scorer doesn’t necessarily make the best coach—unless they can show up with authenticity and empathize with their teammates’ challenges, fears and ambitions. In that case, they’d probably make a great coach.”

3. Lorne Segal

President, CEO and founder, Kingswood Properties

“If you want chicken soup, you gotta put a chicken in the pot.”

Originally from Joe Segal, this was one of my father’s  favourite sayings—and it’s one I live by. He had a remarkable gift for turning complex ideas into simple truths. This one means: you can’t expect reward without effort, success without sacrifice or impact without investment. In business, in life and in community—you only get what you’re willing to put in. My father believed that whether you’re building a company, a relationship or a cause, the starting point is always commitment. That  wisdom shaped the way I lead and the legacy I hope to honour.”

4. Shezana Hassko

Vice-president, engineering, TransLink

“Ignore the noise.”

As a leader, you’re constantly navigating input from all angles: stakeholders, peers, teams and critics. Everyone sees the outcome of your decisions, but few fully understand the context, trade-offs or long-term vision behind them. Leadership often requires making choices that are not  immediately popular or obvious. The results of those choices may take months or even years to materialize. During that time, you may face skepticism, criticism or doubt—even from those who mean well. If you try to respond to every opinion or shift course to appease everyone, you’ll lose focus and dilute your impact. If your  decisions are rooted in integrity, clarity of purpose and a genuine desire to create value or drive progress, then the noise becomes just that—noise. It’s not about ignoring feedback or avoiding accountability, it’s about  having the resilience to stay on course when  others don’t yet see what you see.

5. Suzanne Muir

Chief officer, Metro Vancouver Transit Police

“Be open to possibilities.”

This concept connects to listening—good leaders listen. It connects to innovation, creativity, solutions and potential. Possibilities are visionary and carry faith and hope. If you are open to them, unimaginable things can be achieved.

6. Selena Woo

Vice-president, private wealth–associates, Nicola Wealth

“Be the person you once needed.”

It’s a lesson that grew out of the gaps I felt early in my career, especially as a woman of colour in finance. I know what it’s like to be the only one in the room and for years I worked hard to prove I belonged—until I realized that the goal wasn’t just to be included. It was to make space for others. To use my voice not just for myself but to amplify others, to advocate for change and to lift as I lead.

Today, that truth shapes every decision I make as a leader. I mentor, sponsor and advocate not out of obligation but because I believe deeply that representation  without responsibility is a missed  opportunity. Leadership isn’t just about where we go—it’s about who we bring with us. When we lead this way, we’re not just changing today, we’re paving the way for generations to thrive.

7. Brian Scudamore

Founder and CEO, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

“Everything comes down to people. Never, ever, ever compromise on the quality of the people you bring into your organization.”

The late Greg Brophy, founder of Shred-it, gave me this advice years ago over coffee and  it’s always stuck with me.