Adam Contos

Former CEO of @remax, @ForbesRECouncil member, serial entrepreneur, speaker, advisor & investor. #StartWithaWin podcast.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

🚨 Gallup’s 2026 State of the Global Workplace just dropped:
Global employee engagement crashed to 20% in 2025 — lowest since 2020 — costing the world $10 TRILLION in lost productivity.
Leaders, this isn’t a workforce problem.
It’s a leadership problem.
In today’s AI-driven world, teams don’t need more perks or policies.
They need human-centered leadership that rebuilds trust and ignites purpose.
The real question: What are you doing today to change that?
Comment with ONE leadership habit you’re committing to this week.
Bookmark if you’re ready to lead differently — tag a leader who needs this.
#Leadership #EmployeeEngagement #Gallup2026 #HumanCenteredLeadership

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

@elonmusk Just did 250 miles on FSD the other day. It was amazing and much safer than manually driving it - especially in heavy stop an go and high speed traffic.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

@KeranRong Congrats!

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

James Clear says, “if you can get 1 percent better each day for one year, you’ll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done."

I’ve learned that action is the antidote to feeling stuck.

You don’t need a huge breakthrough, just one small win at a time.

Do something today that moves you forward, then do it again tomorrow.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

I’ve learned that people don’t connect with perfect. They connect with real.

Your team and your clients don’t need the polished version of you. They need the honest one.

In a world full of AI, real human connection matters more than ever.

Comment and let me know what you think about this.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

I’ve learned that if you want loyalty, start with gratitude.

Recognition isn’t just a nice gesture. It’s fuel.

When people feel seen, they perform better and stay longer.

Take a minute today to send that text or say thank you.

How do you show gratitude to your team?

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

New episode of Start With a Win is LIVE.

I had the opportunity to sit down with leadership coach Adrian Koehler.

Adrian has worked with:
-Nike
-US Navy SEALs
-Oprah Winfrey Network
-Virgin Hyperloop One
-Jeni’s Ice Cream
-Oppenheimer
-Organifi

I promise you that this conversation will benefit your leadership and your business.

Go give it a listen!

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

My friend and mentor once told me: "You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your level of training."

The best leaders keep learning, even when things are going well.

Read the book, take the course, network with people who are better than you at what they do.

Comment if you agree.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

I’ve learned that playing it safe might feel smart, but it’s actually the riskiest thing you can do.

I’ve seen too many people wait for the perfect moment that never comes.

Don’t wait for everything to line up before you move.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

When chaos hits, people don’t need louder leaders. They need calmer ones.

Your team looks to you to see how serious things are.

If you freak out, they’ll assume it’s time to panic.

If you stay calm, they’ll focus on solving the problem.

So take a breath, think, and lead with a clear head.

That’s how you keep everyone moving forward.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

The toughest person you’ll ever lead is the one in the mirror.

It’s easy to hold others accountable. It’s harder to hold yourself to the same standard.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

People don’t move when they’re confused. They move when they see contrast.

Let me explain this to you...

If your team doesn’t understand why change matters, they won’t act.

You have to show them the difference between where you are and where you could be.

For example, if sales are flat, don’t just say “we need to improve!”

Say, “If we keep selling at this pace, we’ll miss our yearly target by 20%. But if we each add one new client a month, we’ll hit it and open the door for bonuses.”

Show what happens if nothing changes, and what’s possible if you hit the goal.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

I've said it before... I'm gonna say it again... Presence creates TRUST.

Leaders can't delegate presence. They must deliver it.

Stop hiding out in your office all day. Show up for your employees.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

I’ve been hearing a lot of people say business is tough right now.

But the truth is, the market isn’t broken. Our mindset might be.

Stop blaming the economy or competition.

Ask yourself what you can control and take one step toward it.

That’s how leaders win, one act of ownership at a time.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

Had an incredible time connecting with inspiring leaders at the Emerging Franchisors Mastermind hosted by Area 15 Ventures yesterday.

Grateful for the insights shared, the collaboration, and the momentum building within the franchising community. Excited to see where this group takes things next!

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

The best leaders don’t just think about their own growth — they think about the growth of the leaders around them.

Leadership development is retention strategy. It’s culture strategy. It’s future-proofing.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

The biggest business shift starts with a mindset shift.
Growth stops the moment we stop growing ourselves and our people.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

Every day as a leader is a chance to realign.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

Stress is a signal, not a stop sign.
Great leaders don’t ignore tension — they notice it, name it, and guide through it.

[Adam Contos @AdamContosCEO]

People don’t just want a paycheck — they want purpose.
A paycheck gets compliance. But purpose? That gets commitment.