Douglas Elliman CEO Scott Durkin: These Are the 3 Moments That Shaped My Career

Image via Inman As CEO of Douglas Elliman, one of the largest independent brokerages in the U.S., Scott Durkin has experienced a lot in a career spanning over three decades in real estate. Some moments, however, stand out above the rest. From the experience of buying his first apartment to a meeting his mentors, there are the three moments that he says helped loft him on his career path and, ultimately, change his life forever. Scott recently chatted with Inman’s Libertina Brandt to discuss them in detail. The Apartment In the early ’90s, Scott and his partner had a bad experience with a Realtor while shopping for an apartment. The experience made him switch career paths. “At the time, the job of a real estate agent was grouped in with the job of an undertaker and a tax collector. It really wasn’t a respected position, and we were treated in the same manner,” he told Inman. “If the poorly mannered agent was still able to cash a hefty commission check, he explained, the potential success of a polite and compassionate agent was limitless.” – Elliman CEO Scott Durkin The agent was dismissive and even called them cheap during negotiations. If the poorly mannered agent was still able to cash a hefty commission check, he explained, the potential success of a polite and compassionate agent was limitless. At the time, Scott was working in hospitality. He felt that with his interpersonal skills, he would thrive in real estate. He was right. “That was a pivotal moment for me,” he told Inman. “I thought ‘wow this is not how it’s done. Let me make my mark and do it a different way.’” About six months after the transaction he was an agent. Meeting with Barbara Corcoran Around one year into his real estate career, Scott moved to the Corcoran Group. He told Inman that when Barbara Corcoran walked into the recruitment meeting, his life changed. “In the middle of the meeting, the door opens and in walks Barbara Corcoran,” he said. “She lit up the room, she was someone I wanted to work with.” – Scott Durkin on first meeting Barbara Corcoran She walked over, pinched his cheek, and lightheartedly said, “You’re way too young to be in real estate.” In that moment he decided to move to the firm because he liked Corcoran’s energy so much. He would end up staying at the firm for 26 years. “She lit up the room, she was someone I wanted to work with,” he explained. A few years after the recruitment meeting, Corcoran once again changed the trajectory of his career. One day he received a call from Corcoran to meet her in uptown Manhattan at five o’clock, Scott told Inman. During the meeting, she offered him the opportunity to work alongside her in the executive suite as the senior vice president of business development. Not long after, he was named Chief Operating Officer. She told him during the meeting, “When I inhale, you exhale,” and the words still replay in his mind today. He went on to work alongside Corcoran until she sold the firm. To this day, the two are still friends and connect regularly. Meeting Howard M. Lorber and Taking the Next Step In the beginning of 2016, Scott was considering a transition to Douglas Elliman. Before he made the move, he had a meeting with Elliman Executive Chairman Howard M. Lorber. That meeting would shape the future of his career. “It was the most rewarding moment for me because I knew exactly what I was in for and what I could do at Douglas Elliman. It really sealed the deal for me.” – Scott on first meeting Howard M. Lorber “By the time the hour meeting ended, it was the most rewarding moment for me because I knew exactly what I was in for and what I could do at Douglas Elliman. It really sealed the deal for me,” he explained. He told Inman that Lorber gave off the same energy Corcoran did during the recruitment meeting back in the ’90s. “When I came home that night and spoke to my husband Dave, I said ‘I feel like this is the Corcoran Group all over again, but it’s 2015. And I can’t wait to start there,” he said. Read the full Inman article here.