Meet Jexsi Grey

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jexsi Grey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jexsi, so great to have you on the platform and excited to have you share your wisdom with our community today. Communication skills often play a powerful role in our ability to be effective and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your communication skills.

Military Service: Serving in the Air Force required clear and precise communication, especially given my background in nuclear munitions systems technology. The military environment often necessitates effective communication to ensure safety and efficiency.

Navigating Homelessness and Advocacy: Living through homelessness and advocating for myself to secure housing honed my ability to articulate my needs clearly and persuasively. This experience taught me how to navigate bureaucratic systems, communicate with various service providers, and advocate for my rights.

Nonprofit Involvement: My extensive involvement in nonprofit organizations, serving on boards and committees, and working directly with homeless clients developed my ability to communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders. This includes interacting with other board members, policymakers, and clients from varied backgrounds.

Public Speaking and Presentations: Presenting at conferences and in different cities across California significantly enhanced my public speaking skills. These experiences helped me learn how to convey complex ideas clearly and engage with my audience effectively.

Collaboration with Government and Community Leaders: Engaging in discussions with city council members, county supervisors, and even the mayor refined my ability to communicate in formal and high-stakes environments. These interactions require me to be persuasive, concise, and clear.

Real Estate and Networking: Transitioning into real estate, where effective communication is crucial, especially in negotiations and networking, further developed my skills. This field requires the ability to clearly explain concepts, listen to clients’ needs, and build relationships.

Advisory and Steering Committee Roles: My roles on advisory boards and steering committees, such as with Humble Design and the Shared Housing Collaborative, provided opportunities to communicate strategic ideas, provide feedback, and collaborate with other leaders.

Personal Resilience and Advocacy: Overcoming personal struggles and substance abuse, and then advocating for systemic change, required a strong, resilient communication style. Sharing my personal story effectively to inspire and motivate others is a powerful communication skill.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m most excited about the approach I take to real estate and advocacy with a holistic mindset; considering all aspects of my clients’ needs and challenges. I also blend concentrated oils sourced from all over the world that I’ve been studying and researching for 8 years now. I guide clients into homeownership as well as healthier living and nutrition. I get feedbacks about things they’ve used it to remedy from athletes foot to tendinitis to ear aches to joint and muscle pain. I will be launching a website for them in the coming weeks and look forward to collecting more testimonials from the community!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Resilience:

Impact: Resilience was crucial in overcoming the numerous challenges I faced, from homelessness to substance abuse and legal issues. It allowed me to persist through difficult times and keep moving forward despite setbacks.
Advice: To develop resilience, focus on building a strong support network and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Practice self-care and mindfulness to maintain your mental and emotional health. Learn from failures and view them as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable obstacles.

Effective Communication:

Impact: Effective communication enabled me to advocate for myself and others, secure housing, and collaborate with various organizations and policymakers. It also helped me build relationships and networks that were instrumental in my progress.
Advice: To improve communication skills, actively seek opportunities to speak publicly, such as presenting at conferences or participating in community meetings. Practice active listening and empathy to better understand and connect with others. Continuously work on articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently.

Advocacy and Networking:

Impact: Advocacy and networking were key in connecting with the right people and organizations that could provide support and opportunities. It allowed me to make meaningful contributions to policy discussions and to help others in similar situations.
Advice: To build advocacy and networking skills, get involved in community organizations and volunteer for causes you are passionate about. Attend networking events and seek out mentors who can guide you. Stay informed about relevant issues and continuously educate yourself to be an effective entrepreneur .

Additional Advice for Those Early in Their Journey:
Focus on what you can control: Focus on the things you can change in your situation and your own actions.
Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. This helps maintain motivation.
Build a support network: Surround yourself with positive and encouraging people who believe in you.
Communication: You were able to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, advocate for yourself and others, and influence policy changes.

Advice for developing communication skills:

Practice active listening: Pay close attention to what others are saying, both verbally and nonverbally.
Emphasize empathy: Try to see things from other people’s perspectives.
Tailor your communication style: Adapt your communication to your audience.
Passion and Advocacy: Your personal experience fueled a passion to help others and advocate for systemic change.
Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve and break it down into manageable steps. Having clear, achievable goals can provide direction and motivation.
Seek Mentorship and Guidance: Find mentors who have experience in your field of interest. Their insights and advice can be invaluable in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities.
Embrace Lifelong Learning: Continuously seek to improve your knowledge and skills. Whether through formal education, online courses, or self-study, staying informed and adaptable is crucial in any journey.
Stay Positive and Focused: Maintain a positive outlook even in difficult times. Focus on what you can control and take proactive steps toward your goals. Positivity can be a powerful tool in overcoming adversity.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The Bible. Everyone has different beliefs and faiths but there are some universally fundamental values in all of them that can be distilled down to empathy. We may not ever be in the other person’s situation but we can listen to them and hear how they perceive their own experience and walk with them. Uncover what’s valuable to them and communicate a solution or tool to help them reach that value.

Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep”

1 Thessalonians 5:11“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dagitsjexsi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JexsiGreyRealtor/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jexsigrey/