Skye Michiels, founder of With Heart Coaching and former National Head of Coaching at Compass, emphasizes leading with kindness, empathy, and clear standards to foster trust and long‑term client relationships. He advocates daily “healthy selfish habits” like mindfulness, micro‑action routines, and small, genuine touchpoints—such as personal texts and micro‑events—to build a network of “forever clients.” Through programs like the 7‑Week Forever Client and the 30‑Day CMA Challenge, Skye provides real estate professionals with practical frameworks for sustainable growth, resilience, and deeper human connection.
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Introduction: Meet Skye Michiels
Skye Michiels is the founder and CEO of With Heart Coaching, a human‑centered coaching practice designed specifically for real estate professionals. With over 23 years in the industry, including serving as the National Head of Coaching at Compass—where he trained more than 30,000 agents—Skye blends deep educational credentials (a BS and MA from Syracuse University) with on‑the‑ground real estate success. As an award‑winning coach and motivational speaker, his philosophy centers on leading with kindness, empathy, and accountability. This article dives deep into Skye’s principles, background, and proven strategies to help you transform your real estate business by becoming a happier, healthier, and more effective professional.
The Power of Kindness and Empathy
Contrary to conventional “tough” leadership models, Skye argues that kindness is strength—not weakness. Drawing parallels with historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, he emphasizes that empathy-driven leadership fosters trust, loyalty, and exponential growth over the long term.
Boundaries with Compassion: Setting clear expectations (“standards”) alongside genuine empathy prevents resentment and confusion among team members or clients.
Ego Management: By acknowledging that your first thought may be reactive or ego‑driven, you learn to pause, choose a second thought rooted in kindness, and then act intentionally.
Empathy as a tool for transformation is explored extensively in leadership research. For an in‑depth look at empathy’s ROI in business, see this Harvard Business Review article on compassionate leadership.
Healthy Selfish Habits: Prioritizing You
Skye champions “healthy selfish habits”—daily practices that nurture your well‑being before tackling work. These habits include:
Morning Routine: Centering activities like light exercise, gratitude journaling, and mindful breathing.
Therapy & Continuous Learning: Investing in personal development through therapy, audiobooks, and podcasts.
Setting Non‑Negotiables: Scheduling time for self‑care and treating it with the same importance as client appointments.
By consistently investing in yourself, you build the emotional resilience needed to serve clients at your highest level.
Mindfulness and Meditation in Real Estate
Despite common misconceptions, meditation isn’t about “emptying your mind”—it’s about detaching from the incessant inner critic. Skye’s coaching includes:
Short Daily Sessions: Aiming for 15 minutes per day (or even five‑minute increments).
Breath Awareness: Tuning into the 80,000 breaths you naturally take each day to cultivate presence.
Outcome: Enhanced calmness in high‑pressure situations (e.g., a flat tire at the airport becomes a moment of gratitude rather than frustration).
Benefits of Meditation
Benefit | Typical Outcome |
|---|---|
Stress reduction | 25–30% decrease (meta‑analysis) |
Improved focus | 45–60% enhancement in attention |
Lowered anxiety | 20–25% reduction |
A “Less Is More” Approach to Hustle Culture
Skye rejects the “grind at all costs” mentality pervasive in real estate. Instead, he proposes:
Selective Activity: Identify the few actions that deliver the biggest returns—both business and personal.
Joy Over Results: Focus on enjoying the daily processes (e.g., genuine conversations) rather than fixating on end‑of‑month numbers.
Detachment from Outcomes: Embrace the journey, trusting that consistent small actions compound over time.
“The secret to 10x results is not more work; it’s less work done exceptionally well.”
For more on breaking free from hustle culture, check out this Forbes deep dive on sustainable productivity.
Building Genuine Conversations, Not Leads
Skye coins the term “conversation generate” versus “lead generate.” Examples include:
Neighborhood Texts: Sending a simple “I was showing in your area today and thought of you—hope you’re well” (no ask, no expectation).
Personal Check‑Ins: Brief voice notes or video messages on birthdays or home anniversaries.
By removing calls‑to‑action, you lower psychological barriers and remind clients you genuinely care, not just that you’re prospecting.
Crafting a “Book of Business” Through Forever Clients
A “book of business” is more than transactions—it’s a network of forever clients who:
Receive ongoing value (market snapshots, maintenance tips, local insights).
Refer friends and family organically because they feel cared for.
Stay loyal across multiple buying or selling cycles.
Skye’s “Forever Client” coaching module teaches agents to reframe “past clients” as lifetime relationships, deploying simple, repeatable touches that keep you top of mind without being salesy.
Micro-Events: Small Actions, Big Impact
Rather than expensive client galas, Skye recommends micro-events—everyday gatherings that foster connection:
Trivia Night Trio: Invite three clients to join you at a local trivia night.
Dog‑Walk Meetup: Host a morning walk at the neighborhood park.
Coffee Catch‑Up: Small group coffees at local cafes.
These low‑cost, high‑meaning events build rapport and trust far more effectively than broad, impersonal marketing.
Leveraging Your Existing CRM—Even Instagram
Your greatest asset is your database of real relationships—including social media contacts. Skye advises:
DM First: Spend 15 minutes daily in Instagram or Facebook DMs, then log new contacts into your CRM.
CRM Portability: Extract names from social channels into a central system you own and control.
Purposeful Organization: Categorize contacts by event invites, home‑buying anniversary, or community interests.
Aim Small, Miss Small: Consistency Over Intensity
Inspired by Navy SEAL tactics, Skye’s “Aim Small, Miss Small” mantra focuses on:
Micro‑Wins: Daily actions so small they’re almost impossible to skip (e.g., one market snapshot per day).
Habit Formation: Building momentum through repetition, not by hammering out massive tasks.
Long-Term Payoff: Over months or years, tiny consistent efforts deliver monumental results.
With Heart Coaching Programs and Offerings
With Heart Coaching currently offers:
7‑Week “Forever Client” Program: Master the art of lifetime relationships.
30‑Day CMA Challenge: Daily comparative market analyses to solidify your expertise and presence.
One-on-One Mentorship: Personalized accountability, goal‑setting, and strategy.
Workshops & Keynotes: Live and virtual events on empathy‑driven leadership, mindfulness, and micro‑event planning.
All programs are built around Skye’s core values of empathy, standards, and relentless consistency.
Statistical Snapshot: Engagement Tactics Comparison
Tactic | Frequency | Average Response Rate* |
|---|---|---|
Email blasts | Weekly | 10–15% |
Bulk social posts | Daily | 2–5% |
Personal text messages | Daily (1–3) | 45–60% |
IG/FB direct conversations | Daily (15 min) | 75–90% |
Micro-event invitations | Weekly (1–2) | 30–40% |
*Data aggregated from industry benchmarks and internal With Heart Coaching surveys.
Conclusion: Leading With Heart for Lasting Success
Skye Michiels’ approach shatters the myth that real estate success demands relentless hustle. By leading with kindness, prioritizing health, engaging in mindful practices, and focusing on small, consistent actions, agents can build a thriving, sustainable business. With Heart Coaching provides the frameworks, accountability, and community to make this transformation possible—empowering you to create more joy, impact, and financial success in equal measure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the “Forever Client” concept?
A “Forever Client” is anyone you’ve served who you continue to nurture with ongoing value—market updates, personalized check‑ins, and small gestures—transforming one‑time clients into lifelong advocates.
Q2: How much time should I dedicate to mindfulness?
Skye recommends starting with five minutes daily and building toward 15 minutes, ideally before engaging in high‑pressure tasks or client interactions.
Q3: Can micro‑events work in any market?
Yes. Micro‑events like park meetups or trivia nights are low‑cost and universally appealing, fostering genuine connection regardless of your locale.
Q4: How do I integrate social media contacts into my CRM?
Spend 15 minutes each day in DMs, then export names and details into your CRM. Treat Instagram and Facebook as a lead source, not a standalone system.
Q5: Why focus on small actions instead of big annual goals?
Small, repeatable actions build habits. Over time, these actions compound, reducing overwhelm and increasing consistency, which drives long‑term success.
By embracing Skye Michiels’ heart‑centered methods—grounded in empathy, simplicity, and consistency—you can elevate both your professional performance and personal well‑being. Ready to lead with heart? Explore more at With Heart Coaching and start transforming your real estate career today.
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