#279 Founder of Fast Company, Alan Webber, on Public Service, and Building Livable Cities Through Housing

Vienna is calling the global real estate industry to the 76th FIABCI World Congress from June 8 to 12, 2026, in Vienna, Austria.Experience an exceptional edition of the FIABCI World Real Estate Congress – for the first time in 36 years, it is being held again in Vienna. We expect up to 1,000 professionals from around the world for a unique gathering at the intersection of business, innovation, and culture:https://www.worldcongress2026.com/This time, we interviewed Alan Webber, co-founder of Fast Company and former mayor of Santa Fe (2018–2025), about how family values, education, and mentors shaped his path from early city-government work in Portland and federal transportation service to Harvard Business School and Harvard Business Review. Alan Webber discusses globalization and national competitiveness, the creation and rapid growth of Fast Company as “edutainment” focused on innovation and the future of work, and the leadership challenges of scaling and letting go. He emphasizes gratitude, respect, proportion, and purpose, contrasts entrepreneurial and political impact, and argues that real estate and public policy must work together to build inclusive, livable communities, with affordable housing addressed through both increased supply and livable wages.00:00 Welcome to Vienna00:38 Meet Alan Webber02:34 Early Life Lessons04:19 Into Public Service07:11 Government and Transport08:31 Harvard and Publishing10:05 Globalization and Industry14:29 Staying Competitive Today18:48 Fast Company Origins24:24 Building Success Factors29:57 Managing Growth Leadership32:44 Humor as Culture34:12 Letting Go After Exit37:46 Rules of Thumb Lessons39:11 Four Compass Points42:04 Entrepreneur vs Politician44:30 Building Community Place49:20 Affordable Housing Playbook56:25 Holistic Real Estate View01:00:23 Global Leadership Call01:04:06 Vienna Congress OutroLearn more about Alan Webber:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Webberhttps://www.thelegacylab.com/alan-webberhttps://www.amazon.com/Rules-Thumb-Productive-Inspired-Turbulent-ebook/dp/B0026772S8?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1#customerReviews