The Weekly Take from CBRE

Alison Fragale, an organizational psychologist and author of "Likeable Badass," shares her insights on earning respect and influence in the workplace. She emphasizes the importance of being perceived as both warm and competent to drive career success. Alison discusses how context shapes perceptions of capability and the significance of managing how one's hard work is valued. Additionally, she introduces the concept of 'swing thoughts' for gradual improvement and encourages reframing imposter syndrome positively to motivate personal growth.

Adam Grant, a renowned organizational psychologist and bestselling author, shares his expert insights on enhancing decision-making and fostering innovation. He discusses the concept of a 'challenge network' where trusted critics help highlight blind spots. Grant emphasizes the importance of premortems to foresee potential failures and advocates for the use of 'better practices' over traditional best practices. He also encourages leaders to ask more questions and support dissent, creating an environment ripe for creativity and improvement.

Jamie Hodari, co-founder/CEO of Industrious and CBRE's CEO of Building Operations & Experience, shares insights on the evolving commercial real estate landscape. He emphasizes the critical importance of workplace experience in attracting tenants and enhancing employee satisfaction. Hodari discusses how operational excellence, powered by AI, is essential for success, especially in hybrid work models. He also advocates for revitalizing downtown areas and creating desirable spaces that enrich lives, highlighting the shift from asset management to operational platforms.

Josh Meyerberg, Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, shares insights on the optimistic real estate landscape of 2026. He emphasizes the importance of quality assets and strong operators amid market shifts. Discussion includes the retail sector's comeback and evolving trends in high-quality office space. Meyerberg highlights the necessity of operational excellence and diversification in portfolio construction while addressing risks, including insurance and climate challenges. He wraps up with thoughts on capturing future growth opportunities in emerging markets.

Brandon Shorenstein, CEO of Shorenstein Investment Advisors, and Patrick Gilday, Vice Chairman at CBRE, dive into the rebounding office market. They discuss the emerging focus on cash flow and downside protection, while noting cash-on-cash yields reaching 8%-15%. The duo highlights the importance of prime assets in vibrant submarkets and the challenges of property conversions. With an emphasis on tenant priorities like wellness and experiential amenities, they paint a hopeful picture for office spaces as essential investments going forward.

Brent Jenkins, a managing director at Clarion Partners, and Zaahir Syed, a senior managing director at CBRE Investment Banking, dive into the fast-changing landscape of real estate capital raising. They discuss the shift toward private wealth and defined contribution markets, emphasizing new fund structures. Brent outlines Clarion's focus on sectors like student housing and industrial real estate, while Zaahir highlights the importance of aligning investment objectives with vehicle structures, especially in retail channels and non-traded REITs.

Maja Rosenquist, EVP at Mortenson with a focus on data centers, joins Gordon Dolven, CBRE's research director for data centers, to explore the dynamic landscape of this sector. They discuss how AI is accelerating demand and influencing site selection due to power constraints. Maja shares insights on Mortenson's energy projects, while Gordon explains different types of data centers. The duo analyzes community concerns, potential risks of overbuilding, and trends in cooling technologies, all while forecasting sustained demand in the coming years.

In this engaging discussion, Adam Gallistel, Co-CEO and CIO of CBRE Investment Management, shares his expertise on navigating the current real assets landscape. He emphasizes the need for operational excellence over mere market hope, highlighting the potential in niche sectors like data centers and student housing. Gallistel identifies Europe as an attractive market for growth and shares insights on overlooked U.S. Midwest markets. He also discusses the importance of infrastructure and the rise of retail capital, offering a fresh perspective on investment strategies amidst evolving dynamics.

Michael Moore, Vice President of Global Real Estate and Workplace at Coca-Cola, shares insights on the brand's innovative workplace strategy across 82 countries. He discusses balancing global brand consistency with local cultural expression, using design to reflect community identity. Moore highlights Coca-Cola’s preference for flexible leasing in emerging markets, their 'Main Street' workplace model for collaboration, and the importance of measuring success through productivity and employee engagement.

Diane Hoskins, Global co-chair of Gensler, dives into the evolution of workplace design. She highlights the shift from rigid office layouts to flexible spaces, tailored for diverse organizational cultures. Destination workplaces are on the rise, aimed at attracting talent and fostering collaboration. AI is transforming architectural practices, enabling rapid design iterations. Diane also discusses the importance of reflecting local culture in office environments and how investing in high-quality spaces can yield long-term value.