Lenny Newman, Corporate Managing Director –
Savills North America
Networking makes the world go around. Beyond online job postings there is an undercurrent in the metro where introductions are made and connections lead to opportunities. Working through people you know makes things happen, which is why we’re highlighting those super networkers in the market who are in the background of many successful executives we read about.
If there was an Olympic team for Networking, Lenny Newman would be the MVP. He personifies a pay-it-forward approach and is tireless with the gift of his time and wisdom helping those in transition. Business leaders reach out to Lenny as a sounding board as he is well-respected in the market for his high ethics and approachability. Lenny is co-founder and leader of the SNLL networking group which fosters connection and conversations for anyone making a career change. Lenny’s investment in relationships overlays well with his day job as Corporate Managing Director at Savills, one of the top commercial real estate brokerage firms.
If you could try a different job for a day, what would you choose?
I would love to be a math teacher. Mid-career I aspired to be a middle school math teacher. When I was younger, I had a very memorable teacher who had a lot of funny sayings I remember to this day and made a big impression.
What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?
Take advantage of any internship or work opportunity you can get. It can help you figure out what you would like to do and, just as importantly, will help you define what you don’t want to do. I can point to early work experiences and cite things that framed up my career today—although I didn’t know it at the time.
What is your mantra?
Go first. Meaning always being the first to offer help to someone with no expectation of getting anything in return. Make people feel welcome and be the first to extend a hand.
How do you get yourself out of a slump?
Conversing with like-minded people and being open to advice. Being transparent, sharing my situation, and having the sounding board of their insights.
What companies or leaders do you admire?
Two companies I think are admirable:
- Nordstrom. When I want good, reliable, well-made clothing, and a phenomenal customer service experience, I go to Nordstrom. They do not disappoint.
- Vector Marketing, Cutco Knives. They have a lifetime warranty. No questions. They’re such a top-notch brand and stand by it.
What has been the biggest shift you’ve noticed in your industry in the last decade?
The movement away from in-person contact. Covid accelerated that and it carried on afterward. People really do value the 1:1 connection, and now the pendulum is swinging back. I think it’s really very hard to have a true connection with no in-person interaction.
Who has been most instrumental in your career?
Early in my career when I was in my ‘20s I was working in an accounting firm with one of my supervisors who I worked together with on a lot of clients. He gave me feedback – when you work with and interact with people, sometimes you have to let things go. He gave a baseball analogy – you can’t go to the wall on every ball. When I have something come up, I ask Is it worth going to the wall? Yes, or no? Then I let a lot of things go.
Second, as a member of Rotary I always keep the Rotary four question test in mind: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? I often use this list when evaluating business and personal relationships.
What is your go-to celebration meal, drink or tradition?
Gianni’s in Wayzata is our go-to spot for a celebration for me and my wife.
