Anna Kirby has managed over 1,500 residential units and $30 million in renovations and capital improvements. She is an Illinois-licensed Realtor, a National Kitchen and Bath Association-certified designer, and an IREM Certified Property Manager. Tapping into her wide-ranging experience covering many aspects of properties and management, Anna pushes herself and the Claritas team to be better every day.
She brings over 20 years of leadership, real estate, project management, construction, and design experience to her mission—creating places where people can thrive.
Anna received her Bachelor of Arts in English, with Honors in Art and a Writing Certificate, from Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA. She earned an Associate Degree in Interior Design from the Harrington College of Design in Chicago. She has won awards for her rug designs in both the Oscar Isberian Rug Design and the Architectural Digest and Starck Carpet rug design competitions. She is an NKBA Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer. She completed Darren Hardy’s Hero’s Journey leadership training and became a Realtor in 2022. Anna earned her Certified Property Manager designation from IREM in 2023 and her Sponsoring Broker license in 2024.
Why This Episode Matters
This episode highlights the importance of intentional leadership, disciplined behavior, and respectful relationships. By planning ahead, delegating effectively, embracing thoughtful technology, and separating emotion from action, individuals and businesses can build stronger teams, healthier relationships, and more sustainable success.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- Planning and staying proactive
- Building where others are not looking
- Delegating to grow and avoid overload
- Choosing behavior over emotion
Conversation Takeaways
- Waiting until the last minute creates unnecessary stress and missed opportunities. Preparing early, adjusting your approach, and staying ahead of problems leads to better outcomes and smoother execution.
- Opportunities often exist outside crowded spaces. Creating your own market or moving toward what is emerging gives you a stronger position than competing where everyone else already is.
- Trying to do everything yourself leads to burnout and dropped responsibilities. Trusting your team, listening well, and delegating tasks allows both you and your business to grow more effectively.
- How you feel in the moment should not control how you act. Leading with discipline, respect, and intentional responses creates better relationships and stronger long-term results.
“How you feel does not need to dictate how you behave. And the way you behave can actually influence how you feel.” – Anna Kirby
Light Bulb Moments – Episode 189
Leading with Discipline and Intentional Action with Anna Kirby
The Light Bulb Moment of This Episode
How you feel should not dictate how you behave-intentional action, discipline, and respect create stronger businesses, teams, and relationships.
Light Bulb Moments & Reflections from the Episode
- Plan ahead and avoid procrastination.
Waiting too long often creates unnecessary stress and missed opportunities.
- Change your filters before it’s too late.
Adjusting your perspective and systems early can improve outcomes significantly.
- Create your own market.
Don’t simply follow what everyone else is doing-look for new opportunities and spaces.
- Build businesses around emerging opportunities.
Growth often comes from identifying what’s next rather than competing in crowded areas.
- Leadership requires listening and delegation.
Strong teams develop when leaders trust others and share responsibility.
- There is joy beyond constant problem-solving.
Building and developing a team can become one of the most fulfilling parts of leadership.
- Delegate when your capacity is full.
Consistently dropping responsibilities may be a sign that it’s time to trust others with important tasks.
- Life experiences reveal character.
Stories, experiences, and personal growth often tell you more about people than resumes alone.
- Confidence combined with respect is powerful.
Treating people respectfully while remaining confident creates stronger relationships.
- Healthy relationships require mutual respect.
Especially during difficult moments, respect should remain the foundation.
- Avoid emotional reactions.
Respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.
- Technology should simplify your life, not complicate it.
Use tools and systems that genuinely improve efficiency and performance.
- Look for useful innovation within your industry.
The right technology can strengthen both businesses and workflows.
- Intentional behavior matters more than temporary emotions.
Discipline and self-awareness create better long-term outcomes.
- Write down powerful reminders and live by them.
Reflecting on meaningful principles can help guide everyday actions and decisions.
Connect with Anna Kirby:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-kirby-1941749/
Connect with Me:
Website: https://www.fornarolaw.com/
Podcast Website: https://lbmpodcast.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/philipfornaro/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fornarolaw3002
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fornarolaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fornarolaw/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FornaroLaw
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