Leading Through Disaster

KW Cares

Feb 3

How Real Estate Agents Become Lifelines in Times of Crisis

When disaster strikes, true leaders step up. In a recent episode of The Millionaire Real Estate Agent Podcast, host Jason Abrams sat down with two extraordinary real estate professionals, Molly D’Amato and Colette Ching, who led their teams and communities through devastating natural disasters. Their stories of resilience, leadership, and service offer valuable lessons not just for real estate professionals but for anyone looking to make a difference when the unthinkable happens.

The Power of Action in a Crisis

When Hurricane Helen brought 32 inches of rainfall and catastrophic flooding to Asheville, North Carolina, Molly D’Amato found herself in an unimaginable situation. Homes were swept away, roads were destroyed, and communication was cut off. Thousands were left without power, water, or any way to contact loved ones.

Similarly, in August 2023, the Lahaina fires in Hawaii became one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, claiming countless homes and lives. Colette Ching, who oversees a team of 37 agents in Hawaii and California, faced the challenge of accounting for her people, providing immediate relief, and organizing long-term recovery efforts.

Both leaders faced the same question: What do we do next?

Their responses followed a similar framework—one that any professional or community leader can apply in times of crisis:

Step 1: Find Clarity in Chaos

In the midst of panic, clear thinking is the most powerful tool. Molly’s first step was to carve out space to think, recognizing that while she couldn’t control the disaster, she could control her response.

Colette, working from California, immediately focused on gathering information. She compiled a list of agents in the affected areas and mobilized a team to track them down. When communication lines went silent for 48 hours, she and her team didn’t stop searching.

Step 2: Establish Immediate Contact and Support

Once the immediate shock passed, both leaders shifted to action:

Molly’s team set up a hub where people could find shelter, supplies, and information. They connected with Keller Williams’ regional leadership, which provided generators, toilets, and other essentials.
Colette turned her focus to the well-being of her agents, securing hotel rooms, rental properties, and community donations to ensure displaced agents and their families had somewhere to go.

Step 3: Organize Community Outreach

Real estate agents are uniquely positioned within their communities. Molly and Colette leveraged their networks to become a direct source of help:

Molly’s team started making care calls—not to discuss real estate, but simply to check on people. Those calls, she emphasized, were life-changing.
Colette mobilized her agents to locate rentals and homes for displaced residents before housing shortages worsened. They called clients who owned second homes to see if they could offer shelter.

Step 4: Lead with Compassion and Adaptability

One of the most profound takeaways from both stories is the importance of giving and receiving help.

Molly’s philosophy—“Bring the lasagna”—encapsulates this perfectly. Instead of asking, “How can I help?” (which often places the burden on those suffering), she encourages simply showing up with tangible support.
Colette reinforced the value of community by ensuring every displaced agent had a place to stay and the emotional support needed to process their trauma.

Step 5: Embrace the Lessons and Strengthen Relationships

Long after the immediate crisis has passed, the effects remain. Both leaders have seen lasting changes in their teams and communities:

A greater sense of connection: The agents who went through these tragedies together have formed unbreakable bonds.
A shift in perspective: Both Molly and Colette emphasized how disasters put life and business in a new light—valuing relationships over transactions, and focusing on what truly matters.
A newfound responsibility to educate: Their teams now actively teach clients about disaster preparedness, from safeguarding documents to securing adequate insurance.

Leadership in the Face of Adversity

Jason Abrams closed the podcast with an essential reminder: “Tragedy will happen. Disasters will strike. But having people around you who will help you through them is the answer.”

Molly and Colette’s stories show that real estate is not just about selling homes—it’s about serving communities. When the world turns upside down, the people who step up to lead—whether they’re business owners, community members, or real estate professionals—become the pillars of hope.

As we move forward, let’s take a page from their playbook:
✅ Think before reacting.
✅ Mobilize your resources.
✅ Prioritize people over transactions.
✅ Be prepared to both give and receive help.
✅ Use every challenge as a chance to grow stronger together.

What’s your biggest takeaway from this story? Have you ever led through a crisis? Share your insights in the comments.

#RealEstateLeadership #CrisisManagement #KWRealty #CommunityFirst #DisasterResponse

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