The D. Bello team went coast to coast for this year's ALTA ONE in the Big Apple, and honestly? We’re still trying to recover. It’s just... a different pace. After all, where else do you […]
Somewhere between time zones and espresso shots… learnings happened.
Mar 26, 2025
6 min read
When I stepped into the role of CEO at D. Bello a decade ago, I couldn’t have imagined the journey ahead.
D. Bello is a remote workforce solutions provider specializing in the title insurance and settlement industry, helping title professionals become more efficient and successful. Leading a company so deeply connected to the unpredictable ups and downs of the real estate market has been equal parts challenging and rewarding.
I’ll admit, sharing “leadership lessons” feels a bit awkward, as if I’m claiming expert status. But I’ve come to appreciate that learning from others’ experiences, both their successes and stumbles, can be a shortcut to growth.
With that in mind, here are seven lessons I’ve learned—often the hard way. I hope a few of them will help you go further, faster in your own leadership journey.
Face Challenges Head-On
Leadership often starts when you have to confront hard truths. Back in 2014, it was clear our company’s legacy operations weren’t keeping pace with the evolving needs of our clients. Systems and processes had grown stale, and I knew that if we didn’t make bold moves soon, our future as a meaningful player in the industry would be at risk.
The decision to reimagine the mission of D. Bello wasn't easy. Quite frankly, we needed to decide what we wanted to be and then dive in headfirst. It wasn’t a perfectly crafted strategy from Day One, but a commitment to addressing issues as they arose, with a vision for long-term success.
Leadership requires getting comfortable with discomfort. You must embrace bold decisions and trust that the right type of hard work will build momentum toward a better future.
Stay True to Your Values
The last 10 years have been a great journey, but it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. That’s my way of acknowledging uncertainty is inevitable. The key to navigating it lies in deciding what’s a non-negotiable and then being flexible with everything else.
At D. Bello, we defined our foundational pillars early: quality, integrity and a relentless commitment to serving our clients’ needs. These principles became our compass, guiding us as we tackled the challenges and opportunities that emerged over the years.
When we first restructured, the details of how we’d achieve our vision weren’t fully clear, but our commitment to our core values remained steadfast. As the industry shifted and client needs became more complex, we adapted our workflows, adopted new technologies, and scaled operations without ever compromising on what mattered most. Like in all things real estate, a strong foundation helped ensure our success, no matter what was going on around us.
Time has its way of helping—forcing you to move left or right—but if you’re built right, you’ll always be grounded by the right foundational pillars. So, define your values early, and trust they’ll guide you forward.
Invest in the Right People
Great organizations are buoyed by great teams. It takes the right people to carry out your vision for success—individuals who align with your values and are fully bought into the larger mission.
Early on, I sought individuals who shared our commitment to ownership, adaptability and high standards. Building this team wasn’t easy because not everyone thrives in a high-velocity, problem-solving environment. Here, you need to triage, pivot quickly, and take ownership of challenges. No excuses.
What’s fascinating is how quickly a strong team will identify and flush out someone who isn’t making the grade, much like antibodies fighting off an illness. While losing a team member is never easy, I’ve learned that maintaining high standards attracts people who thrive under them—and that’s the foundation of a successful organization.
When COO Andrew Acker and I were rebuilding D. Bello, it was just the two of us wearing every hat imaginable. Progress was happening, but the workload wasn’t sustainable. As we started hiring, we discovered that not everyone could keep up with the demands of our detail-driven culture. Ultimately, the team we built is capable of triaging effectively, pivoting quickly and stepping up in every situation.
As leaders, it’s our responsibility to invest in the right people and trust them to do the work. Set the bar high, and the right team members will rise to meet it—and they’ll become the cornerstone of your company’s success.
Always Be Ready to Adapt
It may be a cliché, but expect the unexpected—and be ready to act when it happens.
This lesson hit home for me years ago when a trusted vendor faced potential collapse, putting a critical part of our operations at risk. The original plan was to gradually build and scale our offshore facilities over several years. But their instability threatened our ability to deliver for clients right then and there. So, we had no choice but to throw kerosene on our efforts overseas.
What was meant to be a slow, measured growth process became an all-hands-on-deck effort to scale quickly. It was a gamble that required significant resources and trust in the team we’d built. And ultimately, it turned out really well. We not only avoided disruption but emerged stronger, with complete control over production.
Remember, unexpected challenges are inevitable. The key is what you do about them. The ability to move quickly and adapt can turn potential setbacks into opportunities.
Never Compromise Integrity
In leadership, honesty has to be one of your non-negotiables. Without it, you have no trust—and without trust, you have no anchor in your relationships.
We’ve always prioritized being transparent with our clients and team, even if that meant admitting challenges or delivering less-than-ideal news. I recall a moment when a client faced frustrations with pricing and deliverables. Instead of sugarcoating or deflecting, we swallowed our pride and addressed the issue head-on. We acknowledged their concerns, explained the factors driving the situation, and worked together to find a solution. At the end of the conversation, the client said something that stuck with me:
“At least you guys are honest... we can figure the rest out together.”
Always lead with honesty. It might be uncomfortable, and it might not always work in your favor, but it builds a foundation of respect and collaboration that’s unfortunately sometimes in short supply these days.
Be Resilient
One of my favorite leadership books is Grit by Angela Duckworth. It says, “Grit is about working on something you care about so much that you're willing to stay loyal to it.” That loyalty—both to the vision of D. Bello and to the people we serve—has kept me focused during the most turbulent times.
In the early years of my tenure, there were moments when it felt like we were walking through a war zone. Aggressively unraveling legacy relationships, financial strain and operational overhauls tested every ounce of our resolve. But as the saying goes, the ‘only way out is through. ' Step by step, we stayed focused, and each small win gave us the momentum to push ahead.
Resilience isn’t glamorous, but without it, you’re sunk. When adversity hits, stay steady, stay loyal and trust that perseverance will lead you out the other side.
Position for the Future
Great leadership isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s about the legacy you leave behind.
From the moment I stepped into this role, I’ve believed in building a company that can thrive beyond my tenure. And while I’m nowhere close to finished with steering D. Bello’s vision, I don’t think I should be in this chair forever, either; the next generation is hungry, smart, and ready.
Part of this means empowering our team to take ownership and grow. It also means embracing partnerships, particularly in technology, that position us to remain industry leaders. Whether that’s looking at how we can further integrate AI or collaborating with other companies on innovative solutions, we’re constantly looking ahead.
Ultimately, leadership is about creating a foundation for others to build upon. Prepare your team and your company to thrive long after you’ve stepped aside.
The Bottom Line
After 10 years at the helm of D Bello, I can say leadership is less about having all the answers and more about staying committed to growth—both for yourself and your team. As you navigate your own leadership journey, take time to reflect on the path you’ve traveled and the opportunities ahead. Embrace the discomfort of growth, trust your instincts, and invest in the people and values that make your work meaningful. I'll be rooting for you.
Reprinted from TitleNews, the monthly magazine of the American Land Title Association.
