If Ned Spieker is a typical billionaire real estate mogul, then the path to success isn’t what you might expect. According to Spieker, it’s not about being an autocrat, but being a servant, not creating a hierarchy, but sharing responsibility, and not about wanting it all, but starting small and working very hard. Serendipity, Spieker admits, plays a big part, but that’s out of our hands regardless. It often takes a little luck to get past seemingly insurmountable obstacles. But in the meantime we have to lay the groundwork that effectively loads the dice in our favor.Lessons: 1. When you’re going through difficult episodes they’re crises; but in hindsight they’re blips. 2. Self esteem is earned; you can’t give it. 3. Good leaders eat last: when you serve your people and build trust they will work harder and smarter as a result.