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The Heart of a Ninja: Building a Thriving Team and Business with John Newman

The Ninja Selling Podcast

Release Date: 05/19/2025

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More Episodes

Join Eric Thompson on the Ninja Selling Podcast as he welcomes John Newman, a dynamic Ninja from Greensboro, North Carolina, and his Ninja Leadership Coach, Tracy Peterson-Nienaber. Recorded while John was in the Dominican Republic for his daughter's wedding, this episode is a testament to dedication and offers a deep dive into building a successful real estate business and team with "The Heart of a Ninja." Discover how John's 37 years of experience, combined with a passion for teamwork honed through a lifetime in sports, has shaped his approach to leadership and client service.

John shares his journey in real estate, from starting in a small company to owning his own and now thriving with Alan Tate Real Estate. Learn about his team's impressive production (44 transactions for John individually and 6 for the team in a "slower" year) and his focus on first-time homebuyers and investors. John emphasizes the importance of team collaboration, individual strengths (everyone brings a "secret sauce"), and fostering a positive, growth-oriented environment. He also provides a unique perspective on navigating industry changes, drawing parallels to the evolving landscape of college sports and the "transfer portal."

This episode is packed with actionable insights, including John's innovative "handwritten note parties" and "real estate review events" designed to build camaraderie, reinforce Ninja principles, and have fun while generating business. Hear how John, with Tracy's coaching, has cultivated a team culture where everyone feels valued and inspired, and how he aims for each team member to surpass his own success.

Join the community of 16,000+ Ninjas on the Ninja Selling Podcast Facebook Group for more valuable insights, collaboration, and networking opportunities! Leave a voicemail at 208-MY-NINJA if you’d like to offer more direct feedback. Be sure to check out Ninja Selling Events for upcoming installations and other events, and if you’d like personalized help in achieving your goals, visit Ninja Coaching to connect with one of our fantastic coaches.

 

Episode Highlights:

  • Introducing John Newman (Greensboro, NC Ninja) & Tracy Peterson-Nienaber (Ninja Leadership Coach)

  • John's Impressive 37-Year Real Estate Career and Team Performance

  • Life Before Real Estate: Construction, Sports, and the Foundation of Teamwork

  • The "Transfer Portal" Analogy: Adapting to Constant Change in Real Estate

  • Building a Diverse Team: Recognizing and Leveraging Individual "Secret Sauces"

  • Innovative Team Events: Handwritten Note Parties and Real Estate Review Sessions

  • Fostering Fun and Camaraderie While Building Business

  • The Impact of Ninja Principles on Team Culture and Client Service

  • John's Vision for Team Growth and Individual Success

  • The Value of Coaching: Gaining Perspective, Accountability, and Pushing for Growth

  • Tracy's Perspective: John's "Heart of Gold" and Leadership Evolution

  • John's Proud (and Bittersweet) Moment: His Daughter's Wedding

 

Key Takeaways:

  • "When a team wins, everyone wins."

  • "My mindset and my goal is I want each of my teammates to be a better agent than me."

  • "[We had] a basically handwritten note party... The rules were you needed to bring in at least five to 10 names of people who you just wanted to thank or write them a note."

  • "...sometimes [experience] can limit you because you think just because you've done it that way, you think that's the only way to do it."
  • "My mindset is that I want my people to outgrow the team. If they do that, that means I've been a great leader, and that's such an abundance mindset." - As shared by Tracy about John.

  • "I learn and grow every day from [my team], and I look forward to talking to them every day."

  • "We want to teach our kids to leave the nest and be, you know, give back in the community and be a blessing to someone."

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