Compass Conversations host Jared Klein sits down with Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan, Senior Managing Director, Real Estate at Compass and former President of Stribling & Associates, to discuss leadership, media strategy, market perspective, client boundaries, fair housing, and the value of genuine human connection.
Elizabeth Ann, also known as EA, reflects on growing up around a family real estate business, beginning her career in San Francisco, working on-site at One Brooklyn Bridge Park, and helping transition Stribling & Associates into Compass. She also shares practical advice for agents preparing for a changing market.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Preserve Culture While Embracing Change
EA explains how the transition from Stribling & Associates to Compass combined the relationships and heritage of an established New York brokerage with stronger technology, national connectivity, and agent support.
- Help Shape the Industry Narrative
Through market reports, media interviews, and industry commentary, EA learned that real estate professionals should explain what is happening locally instead of allowing outside headlines to define the market.
- Return to Real Human Connection
After years of relying heavily on screens, EA believes face-to-face conversations can become a competitive advantage. Calling people, meeting for coffee, attending events, and speaking to strangers can create opportunities that digital outreach alone cannot.
- Know When to Say No
EA encourages agents to audit their calendars, clients, listings, and commitments. Walking away from a damaging relationship can protect time, energy, reputation, and future production.
- Stay Careful With Compliance
As a New York City broker of record, EA stresses the importance of reading contracts, following fair housing rules, serving clients who use housing vouchers, and carefully reviewing AI-assisted marketing before publishing it.
- Build Accountability Into the Plan
Agents should prepare for the next year before it begins, identify the activities that deserve more attention, and choose an accountability partner who will offer honest feedback rather than simply agree.
- Dream Big
EA selects Dream Big as the Compass Entrepreneurship Principle that best represents her outlook. She believes imagination and curiosity can lead to stronger goals, creative marketing, new relationships, and opportunities that may initially seem out of reach.
💼 Why This Matters
EA’s experience shows that strong leadership requires honesty, adaptability, service, and the confidence to keep learning. Her message is clear: protect your reputation, stay connected to people, understand the rules, cut through negative noise, and make room for bigger ideas.
🔗 Connect with the Speakers
Host Jared Klein: https://www.compass.com/agents/jared-klein/
Elizabeth Ann Stribling-Kivlan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethannstriblingkivlan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/estriblingkivlan/
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