LaShawn has been the market leader in Tampa for JLL since 2019. Her territory covers Tampa Bay and Central Florida and she oversees more than 40 brokers. A passionate alum of the University of Kansas, LaShawn has been in the Tampa market for some 20 years and the commercial real estate business for 25 years. She’s executed over 350 assignments totaling $5 billion for institutional clients with both industrial and office portfolios. Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and LaShawn talked about JLL’s recent significant expansion in Tampa — and why the firm did it. (She’s obviously a fan of working in the office, not WFH.) They also talked about what she looks for in leaders (resilience is a big one, character, too), what she has learned from her mentors and more.

3 Takeaways:

(03:20) Relationships, relationships, relationships

(18:20) Perform and execute what is in front of you

(19:40) Be where your feet are

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio

(00:26) Introducing Lashawn Bates and rapid fire questions

(01:50) How did you get into commercial real estate and succeed?

(03:40) Building relationships

(05:40) Working for JLL and becoming a leader

(07:50) From broker to leader

(08:55) JLL’s growth in the market

(13:10) Leadership characteristics

(18:10) Leadership advice

(20:40) The importance of practicing

(22:45) Overcoming rejection

(26:20) JLL in 2025

Mark Gordon is the Managing Editor of the Business Observer. He has been with the Business Observer since 2005, where he’s written about companies, development, entrepreneurs and how government intersects with business, among other topics. He currently oversees the paper’s coverage from Tampa to Naples, in print and online, overseeing a staff of reporters and photographers, in addition to writing stories. He has written a biweekly leadership column, Leadership Matters, since 2021 in the Business Observer. And in 2023 he began hosting From the Corner Office, a weekly podcast.

In a twist, for this week’s episode From the Corner Office producer Read Corley turns the tables — and interviews host Mark Gordon. Read and Mark talked about Mark’s career in journalism, his lessons learned about leadership from interviewing hundreds of executives and entrepreneurs and his mentors. Listen for how Mark answers a question about what he would like the headline to be for his last story.

3 Takeaways:

1. (06:40) Be pragmatic
2. (07:45) Never assume, over communicate, and be clear
3. (23:10) Never be sure, double check

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!

(00:30) Introducing Mark Gordon, Managing Editor of Business Observer

(03:35) Becoming Managing Editor and responsibilities

(06:10) Learning curve of managing people

(08:48) Favorite story Mark has written for the Business Observer

(10:30) Ideal audience member of Business Observer

(11:45) Characteristics of the best hires

(13:40) Setbacks and learning experiences

(17:00) There is no “edit” button in journalism

(20:40) Mark’s mentors

(25:20) Rapid fire questions

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.

Patrick has worked in sales, marketing, training and product development for more than 30 years. He has also been a leader in building teams and creating a sustainable positive corporate culture at both family businesses and large corporations. Brands he's worked for include Procter & Gamble and Stryker Corp. He’s been with Shepherd Insurance, and its predecessor brand in Sarasota, Al Purmot Insurance, since 2007.

Business Observer Managing Editor Mark Gordon and Patrick talked about how he and his team navigated the season of storms in the fall, working for clients while also living in the ravaged area. One key, he says, for leaders during stressful times like that is “calm is contagious.” They also talked about the must-dos in building a strong company culture and how being a youth basketball coach for his kids helped shape his leadership style. And listen for a pair of personal nuggets: the impact Patrick’s late father had on his life and what his word of the year was for 2024.

3 Takeaways:

1. (05:40) Culture is created by the team
2. (09:15) Everyone wants to feel significant
3. (16:30) If you’re looking for one aspect of a leader, is it a skill or attitude?

Timestamps:

(00:00) This episode is sponsored by Kerkering Barberio!

(00:50) Introducing Patrick Del Medico, Partner and COO of the Florida and Arizona region, Shepherd Insurance

(05:00) Creating company culture

(08:00) Lessons from basketball coaching

(11:55) Holding people accountable

(16:10) Characteristics of leadership

(18:45) Leadership lessons

(22:15) Shepherd Insurance in 2025

(24:40) Rapid fire questions

Join us every week as we interview business leaders to learn what makes them great, what they look for in growing leaders, and much more.

Visit businessobserverfl.com for more.