Brian Setencich, General Manager of First Service Residential, provides a fine example of a business leader who made a successful transition between public service and private enterprise.
Setencich grew up in Fresno and attended California State University, where he majored in Business Administration with a focus on management. He began his career as a City Councilman in Fresno, California.
Serving the community where he grew up had great personal meaning for Setencich, and he worked to make sure Fresno was prosperous. After a successful term as City Councilor, he was elected to the California State Assembly.
After a term in the State Assembly, Setencich went on to work for the City and County of San Francisco, building and implementing a new 911 system to better serve the community as a whole.
He then left the public sector and transferred his skills to property management. He has managed million-square-foot commercial properties and many residential properties as well.
Setencich shares the lessons he learned as he transitioned from elected office to private industry.
Management Style
His public sector experience gave him the tools to manage a staff and leverage their skills for the good of the company. As a State Assemblyman he was in charge of a large staff, guiding them to provide California residents with excellent service and representation.
An elected official is always duty bound to his or her constituents, and Setencich transferred this to the clients in his business. He works to make sure that all of his clients feel valued and that their concerns are addressed.
Attention to Detail
When an elected official is working on legislation, it is necessary to have a great deal of focus and attention to detail. This trait has proven useful for Setencich as he manages all aspects of his properties. Everything needs to work together, from walls and floors to electric systems.
Interpersonal Relationships
In the public sector, it is necessary to work closely with many different kinds of people. While dealing with a range of people from staffers to constituents and those in higher offices, a manager needs to be diplomatic and straightforward. Setencich uses his people skills to better serve First Service Residential.
Ability to Negotiate
Negotiating skills are crucial to success in both the public sector and the business world. When Setencich was a lawmaker, he frequently worked with other Assemblymen to create new laws. Each party had their own wishes, and Setencich needed to learn how to balance his needs with those of others. Skillful negotiating comes in handy in the business world, where contracts need to be negotiated daily.
Inspiration for Success
Setencich cites Warren Buffett as the business leader who has inspired him the most. He built his empire from nothing and continues to make wise decisions for his company. He understands the need to make a mark in the world, and he has done this in his property management business.
Lessons Learned from Brian Setencich
In his transition from the public sector to private business, Setencich can inspire those who have wished to make a change in careers. He uses his broad repertoire of skills gained in the public sector to inform his work in the property management business.
Setencich understands that interpersonal relationships are one of the most crucial aspects of being successful in any line of work. He also understands the value of compromise and pays great attention to the smallest details.
Inexperienced businesspeople can learn many useful lessons from Setencich’s career. His example can help others succeed in their chosen line of work, whether they are employed by private industry or work for government organizations.
