Chief Business Officer at Compass, Rob Lehman: Leadership by Fire

Rob Lehman, Chief Business Officer at Compass, has an entrepreneurial spirit that has already set him forward in a burgeoning and exciting career at a young age. Rob’s path has come by no accident. His determination to be at the innovative edge and his unconventional approach to finding his bearing at Compass speak to Rob’s unique take.

Rob’s business-focused mindset developed early on in his childhood. In the fourth grade, Rob started a basketball camp with an all too original name. As Rob advances his career, he continues to cultivate that mentality and brings a unique offering to the world of real estate.

In this episode, learn more about Rob’s highly unconventional job search and why he makes the case for the value of the real estate agent as a deeply underappreciated asset to any business. Rob and Joubin also talk about what it is like to be the young guns at their respective companies and how they push to make the more senior members around them see their value, strengths, and much more.

In this episode, we cover:

• An overview of Rob’s background - and his earliest memory as an entrepreneur beginning in the fourth grade. (1:22)
• Searching for Compass: Rob details his methodical research and what he turned down as he sought opportunities to work for an early-stage company. (3:43)
• Rob’s pivot from finance to strategy and operations - and why the real estate agent is a profoundly misunderstood professional. (10:15)
• Rob reflects on his first signs of product market fit - and the power of momentum when building a company. (16:09)
• A deep dive on finding the best talent - and why real estate agents are a powerful business entity. (21:39)
• Rob explains why it is crucial to think in the future and be comfortable with rapidly adapting your business. (31:40)
• Understanding the diversity of the real estate industry - and Rob’s mindset as a younger person surrounded by veterans in the field. (37:01)
• Creating Space: Joubin and Rob discuss the impact of effective time management and how your calendar can be your strategy. (42:09)
• Looking back on Rob’s earlier days at Compass and some key takeaways. (46:22)

Links:

• Connect with Rob
  • Email: rob@compass.com
• Connect with Joubin
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email: gtmg@kleinerperkins.com
• Learn more about Kleiner Perkins