👋 Hi everyone, my name is Diane Mercer with DMG Homes. I’m excited to be here because I’m focusing on land deals and I know leadership plays a huge role in staying consistent and growing. 👉 One of my joys has been working with JV partners and seeing how collaboration can turn opportunities into real profits (my favorite was a six-figure SFR flip I did with a partner). 👉 One of my struggles has been staying confident when presenting offers, especially when sellers are asking higher numbers. I’m learning that leading in this space means sticking to the numbers and trusting the process, even when it’s uncomfortable. Looking forward to learning, sharing, and growing with all of you! 🌱 — Diane Mercer | DMG Homes

What module should I put out next for the Leadership in Land course? Have another suggestion? Let me know in the comments!

I’ve been sitting with a full heart these past few days. (and finding the space and time to re-energize after being very, very exhausted emotionally) The Land Unconference meant more to me than I can really put into words. What started as an idea—a loose vision for creating something different in the land investing world—turned into something I never expected. Initially all it started out with was 6 or 7 land investors in a room holding a mastermind 1x a year that I hosted in the office for the first time in 2019. From the very beginning, people flew from literally all over the country to attend. I felt such a weight of responsibility to hold an amazing event for them. We did it again virtually in 2020 during Covid. And in person again in 2021 for 2 days rather than 1 day and again in 2022. Some people were super skeptical and asked me, "What do you want out of this?" I don't need the money for doing these (but I do like to get paid for my hard work and enjoy the reward and I want to ensure that we do have a profit). There are many other activities that pay me far far more. My truthful answer is I get paid with friendships, connections, and community --- and if I'm honest with myself, I enjoy being respected and admired and appreciated. It probably feeds my ego some. Ok, maybe a lot. But what really brings me joy--- I love seeing people connecting. I love seeing the smiles, the "ah ha" moments, people who live 10 minutes from each other and yet never met before who get together. New masterminds that pop up after the event. In the small 2022 version--- where I sat on a hot seat and asked, "What do you want Dave? How can we help you?" My answer was simple--- I love doing these small events. How can I help scale this into something bigger? Where we get 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 people --- dare I say 100 people or 200 people all set up in separate rooms holding multiple masterminds at 1x. That day in May 2022--- the Land UnConference was born. We did it for the first time in May 2023. Sold out 5 or 6 months ahead of the event. It was easy, it was fun, it was joyful. The moderators came to my house for dinner the night before we started. They met my family, hung out with my kids. I personally made them dinner and served them.

Difficult conversations aren’t what derail teams. Avoiding them is. Leaders often hold back because they don’t want to seem harsh or trigger conflict. But silence only creates confusion, frustration, and misalignment. The solution? A framework for clarity and empathy. Simon Sinek’s approach centers on four simple steps: ✨ Pause before reacting – Take a breath, don’t match emotion with emotion. ✨ Seek to understand – Ask questions and listen before offering solutions. ✨ Lead with respect – Protect dignity while setting accountability. ✨ Set the standard – Model dialogue that’s professional, respectful, constructive. Used consistently, this doesn’t just solve problems---it builds trust, strengthens culture, and turns conflict into connection.

Today we pause as a nation to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and to honor the extraordinary courage of the first responders and ordinary citizens who stepped forward in the face of unimaginable tragedy. On that day, 441 first responders gave their lives serving our country, running toward danger when others ran away. 9/11 reminds us that true leadership is not about titles or positions. It is about service, sacrifice, and standing shoulder to shoulder to protect and care for one another. It is about the American spirit that refuses to be broken. As land leaders, we are doing more than building businesses. We are helping build communities, legacies, and futures that reflect the strength of our country and the resilience of its people. Let’s carry forward that spirit of unity, responsibility, and perseverance in the way we lead today and every day.