Podcast Summary: TheUPside Podcast
Episode: Leading Through Disruption: Smokey Garrett on Speed, Culture & the Future of Real Estate
Host: Theresa Flood
Guest: Smokey Garrett, Founder of the GO Network
Date: November 11, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode features Smokey Garrett, founder of the GO Network and owner of the largest Keller Williams franchise brokerage in the U.S. Theresa Flood explores Smokey’s personal journey from cutting horses to real estate, his leadership philosophy, and what it takes to navigate and lead organizations through industry disruption. They dive deep into transformative leadership, adapting to rapid change, building culture, and the traits necessary to thrive in the future of real estate.
Smokey Garrett’s Background & Journey (00:54–12:56)
Early Roots & Lessons from Cutting Horses (01:21–05:30)
- Smokey discusses growing up in Plano, Texas, being raised by strong women, and learning from his time showing cutting horses.
- The discipline, relationship-building, and daily work with horses became foundational to his work ethic and leadership approach.
- Quote: “If you want to be good at something, you’ve got to put the time in to know your horses and know what’s happening because it’s very much of a relationship.” – Smokey Garrett (04:11)
- A back injury and loss of horses led him to reconsider his path, prompting a shift from agriculture to business and marketing.
Entry into Real Estate & Building Success (05:33–11:02)
- Started in real estate, struggled at first—no sales for six months.
- Persistence and a focus on lead generation turned things around dramatically.
- Quote: “If you do the work and you invest the time, there’s going to be a result… I committed to myself I would never go another month without a closing.” – Smokey Garrett (08:24)
- Built a top-performing sales team with his eventual wife, Sarah.
- Experienced burnout after initial success, prompting a search for greater leverage and meaning.
Transition to Leadership (11:02–12:56)
- Inspired by Keller Williams’ focus on building businesses, not just monthly transactions.
- Moved into leadership after starting a family, focusing on creating a larger impact beyond sales.
Leading Through Disruption (12:56–25:00)
Transforming a Struggling Market Center (12:56–16:15)
- Smokey took over the underperforming Arlington Keller Williams office.
- Cites the importance of “the right who” in opportunities—mentors and partners matter more than the challenge itself.
- Quote: “The opportunity was big enough. When those two things happened—the right who and the right opportunity—fear kind of goes away.” – Smokey Garrett (14:15)
- Leadership’s hardest early lessons: rapidly learning about people, business, and self-exposure.
- Pride in building an award-winning, collaborative culture.
Change Management & Adapting Quickly (16:35–23:45)
Embracing Change
- Change is universally resisted: “Nobody really likes change. Change always comes with resistance.” (17:46)
- People move because of pain or pleasure. The challenge is to create proactive change before pain strikes.
- Two levels of leadership:
- Leading individuals (inner circle, one-on-one growth)
- Leading organizations (bigger vision, collective adaptation)
Building Organizations for the Future
- The “who” you’re in business with is crucial; you can’t change people by force.
- Leaders should create organizations with enough opportunity and vision for people to grow when ready.
- Quote: “You’re here to build a place of how we see the future... you’re not here to change everybody today.” – Smokey Garrett (22:17)
Disruption in Real Estate & Culture (23:45–32:44)
Current Industry Disruptors (24:02–27:44)
- Real estate faces a triple disruption: market shifts, consumer behavior changes, and industry transformation.
- Technology has poured billions into “disruption,” yet the agent’s role remains relevant.
- The biggest ongoing challenge: Will agents shift from transactional to holistic, lifelong advisors?
- Quote: “Now you get the opportunity... to be a part of an entire home journey with their people.” – Smokey Garrett (25:31)
- Societal changes: Homebuyers staying longer, adults living with parents longer.
Strategic Adaptation & Fun in Disruption (27:44–30:13)
- The GO Network is launching new private/off-market solutions—top agents are quick to see strategic opportunities.
- Getting the right people on board makes “being the disruptor” energizing and innovative.
Redefining Culture (29:37–32:44)
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Culture isn’t just community and warmth; it’s productivity, competition, and alignment.
- Quote: “An organization, to some extent, always looks like its leader after a while.” – Smokey Garrett (30:13)
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Leadership’s role is to maintain standards and vision, attracting people on the same journey.
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A stagnant organization, even with great people, loses its culture—growth is vital.
- Quote: “Vision attracts, culture retains.” – Theresa Flood (32:44)
Future-Proof Leadership & Traits for Success (32:44–39:32)
Top Traits for Realtors & Leaders of the Future (32:49–36:32)
- Strong communication across generations and platforms is key.
- Teamwork and partnership will overshadow rugged individualism.
- Adaptability and speed—willingness to learn and use evolving technology—will separate the leaders from the left-behind.
- Quote: “Either you’re going to adapt... or you’re truly going to be left behind.” – Smokey Garrett (36:11)
Optimism & Opportunity in Real Estate’s Future (36:32–39:32)
- Smokey’s hope comes from the opportunity to create and innovate within a changing industry.
- He emphasizes the shift to a team model and the importance of helping others succeed.
- Quote: “It’s definitely going to be a team sport—how we’re going to win together in the future... That’s what gets me excited.” – Smokey Garrett (38:34)
- Real estate professionals can become as essential as doctors and financial planners, guiding clients through lifelong homeownership and wealth.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “If you want to be good at something, you’ve got to put the time in.” – Smokey Garrett (04:11)
- “The opportunity was big enough. When those two things happened—the right who and the right opportunity—fear kind of goes away.” – Smokey Garrett (14:15)
- “Nobody really likes change. Change always comes with resistance.” – Smokey Garrett (17:46)
- “An organization always looks like its leader after a while.” – Smokey Garrett (30:13)
- “Vision attracts, culture retains.” – Theresa Flood (32:44)
- “Either you’re going to adapt... or you’re truly going to be left behind.” – Smokey Garrett (36:11)
- “It's definitely going to be a team sport—how we’re going to win together in the future... That’s what gets me excited.” – Smokey Garrett (38:34)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:21 – Smokey’s upbringing and lessons from cutting horses
- 05:33 – Transition to real estate, initial struggles, and first successes
- 11:02 – Burnout and moving into team and leadership
- 12:56 – Taking over a failing market center during a market crash
- 17:46 – Change management: why people resist and how to lead through it
- 23:45 – Disruptive forces in real estate; industry and consumer shifts
- 29:37 – The role of culture in high-performing organizations
- 32:44 – Top traits needed for realtors and leaders of the future
- 36:32 – What gives Smokey hope for the future of real estate
Takeaways
- Adaptability, vision, and deep commitment to helping others are crucial during times of rapid change.
- Building the right culture and team is more important than perfect strategy in the face of disruption.
- Real estate agents who wish to thrive must move beyond transactions to become trusted, lifelong advisors.
- Leadership is about seeing further ahead—and bringing others with you, not just responding to today’s problems.