Why Self-Awareness Is the Blueprint for Success in Affordable Housing and Life

Introduction: Why This Episode Matters

When most people think about success in real estate investing, they immediately jump to spreadsheets, deal structures, or tax credits. But in this solo episode of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, host Kent Fai He pulls back the curtain on something far more fundamental: self-awareness.

Kent shares his journey with the CliftonStrengths assessment, revealing how understanding your unique strengths is not just a personal growth exercise—it’s the foundation for building relationships, leading teams, and creating lasting impact in affordable housing. This episode is not about theory. It’s about the habits, mindset, and frameworks that have fueled Kent’s consistency and credibility as a developer and thought leader.

What is the CliftonStrengths Assessment and Why Does It Matter for Investors?

If you’ve never heard of CliftonStrengths, it’s a tool that identifies your natural talents across themes like strategic thinking, relationship building, execution, and influence. Kent discovered his top strength was Futuristic, meaning he thrives when casting a vision for the future—like his mission to build the largest affordable housing community in the United States.

For investors and developers, knowing your strengths matters because it helps you:

• Build teams that complement your weaknesses.
  
  

• Stay consistent with daily habits.
  
  

• Focus on high-leverage activities that align with your natural abilities.
  
  

As Kent puts it, “Self-awareness is 80 to 90 percent of what it takes to become successful in life, in business, in your family, and in your relationships”.

How Can Understanding Your Strengths Drive Consistency?

Consistency is the unglamorous secret behind every successful investor. Kent shared how, despite “Discipline” ranking low on his strengths list, he stayed consistent by hacking his brain. For over 264 consecutive days, he underwrote deals, worked out, and connected with new people—often live on social media.

His secret? Accountability. By publicly sharing his goals, he created a system where failing meant breaking trust. For investors, this framework applies directly:

• Announce your goals publicly.
  
  

• Tie habits to your identity and reputation.
  
  

• Build consistency by aligning with how your brain actually works.
  
  

What Role Do Mentors and Relationships Play in Affordable Housing?

Kent emphasizes that success in affordable housing isn’t a solo mission—it’s about building authentic relationships. He reframes networking as simply “making friends,” reminding us that the people who want to see you win often resonate with your mission.

A defining moment in Kent’s journey was reaching out to Alvin Hope Johnson, a nonprofit affordable housing leader. That one message turned into mentorship, deal opportunities, and invaluable lessons in relationship-building. His advice:

• Stop pitching deals immediately at events. Bring value first.
  
  

• Reach out directly to the people you admire.
  
  

• Learn from their work, then offer something back.
  
  

How Do You Stay Memorable When Networking?

According to Kent, the goal of networking is not just handing out business cards—it’s being remembered in a positive way. Practical tips include:

• Introduce others with generosity. (“This is Kent, an amazing affordable housing developer.”)
  
  

• Focus on making people feel valued, not just on what you say.
  
  

• Provide connections or resources before asking for anything.
  
  

In affordable housing, where trust and collaboration drive deals, this approach is especially powerful.

Key Insights from This Episode

• Self-awareness is the cornerstone of success. Understanding your CliftonStrengths allows you to align your actions with your natural abilities.
  
  

• Consistency beats intensity. Showing up every day builds trust and credibility.
  
  

• Mentorship accelerates growth. One mentor or conversation can change your entire trajectory.
  
  

• Relationships are currency. True networking is about making friends and providing value.
  
  

• Reputation is leverage. Staying accountable to your word builds trust with investors and partners.
  
  

Best Quotes from Kent Fai He

“Self-awareness is 80 to 90 percent of what it takes to become successful in life, in business, and in your relationships.”

“I tricked myself into consistency by putting my goals on social media. If I didn’t follow through, I believed people wouldn’t trust me anymore.”

“Stop calling it networking. It’s just making friends and providing value without expecting anything in return.”

“You’re probably one mentor or one conversation away from your life changing dramatically.”

Common Questions This Episode Answers

What is the CliftonStrengths assessment?
It’s a tool that helps you identify your top strengths so you can focus on what you do best instead of trying to be great at everything.

How can I stay consistent as an investor?
Tie your habits to accountability. Make public commitments and align your systems with your natural strengths.

Why is mentorship important in affordable housing?
Mentors provide shortcuts, frameworks, and opportunities you can’t get from books or courses. One relationship can transform your path.

What’s the best way to build relationships in real estate?
Shift your mindset from networking to making friends. Add value first, and focus on being remembered positively.

Kent Fai He is an affordable housing developer and the host of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, recognized as the best podcast on affordable housing investments. His mission is to educate, inspire, and empower a new generation of investors and developers to solve America’s housing crisis.

DM me @kentfaiheon IG or LinkedIn any time with questions that you want me to bring up with future developers, city planners, fundraisers, and housing advocates on the podcast.