“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” For most, it’s a quote on a wall by Mahatma Gandhi. However, for Tony Bachman, it’s a way of doing business. As Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield, he’s not here to make surface changes. He’s here to rebuild what’s broken, fix what’s outdated, and lead with the kind of clarity that doesn’t rely on optics. Strategy, grit, trust, and people: that’s the essence. That’s his foundational framework.
Trailblazing With Purpose
Over the years, this strong approach helped Tony to cut through corporate fog and build credibility that lasts. Today, he takes great pride in being recognized among “The Most Influential Business Trailblazers to Watch in 2025.” He works to be a leader in all parts of his life, always aiming to make a genuine positive difference. For Tony, trailblazing means challenging entrenched habits, tackling obstacles with optimism, and learning from each setback. This honor affirms his role in guiding others beyond fixed mindsets in a meaningful way. He feels that it is something any leader should be proud of.
Leading in Style
Tony’s leadership style evolved from observing a wide range of leaders. Some focused-on culture and employees, others on business development. The mix helped him figure out what works. His mantra is simple: “Put people first.” That includes staff, clients, customers, and colleagues.
Transparency isn’t situational for Tony; it’s a rule. So is flexibility. Whether navigating economic disruption or an unexpected curveball, he adjusts without losing direction.
From Uncertainty to Resolve
The first several months in a new leadership role can shake even the most seasoned professionals, and for Tony, they did. The shift from a hands-on property management role to overseeing the entire division as Managing Director, with responsibilities that mirrored those of a CEO, came with complex decisions that affected the whole team.
Navigating unfamiliar responsibilities, restructuring systems, and earning the trust of staff amid rapid change tested his resilience. But as Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts,” Tony didn’t fold under pressure. Rather, he met the disarray with eyes wide open and made it his mission.
By counting on his leadership team, listening to his employees, and building transparent processes, Tony reinforced the business’s foundation in the first year, which positioned it for long-term success. “A balanced and transparent leadership approach creates consistency, and consistency creates trust from those whom you are leading,” he declares.
Where Initiative Meets Impact
Those initial months after assuming his current role, Tony led a bold shift in operational strategy at Cushman & Wakefield. Traditionally reliant on new business wins to drive profitability, the team faced a static year in terms of additional square footage secured. Yet, despite that flat growth in new business, they closed 2024 with a double-digit surge in net profit margin. The impressive results validated the structural changes Tony introduced, proving that efficiency and brilliant execution could outperform volume alone. It was a high-stakes move that paid off, thanks to the top brass that backed the strategy and a staff willing to trust the process.
Balancing Vision with Voices That Push Back
In a global real estate firm, balancing big-picture strategy with day-to-day demands isn’t a solo act. And Tony knows it. “I’d be extremely naïve to think I have all the best strategic initiatives, solutions, or ideas,” he admits. That’s why he surrounds himself with strong local leaders whose counsel he values, especially when addressing market-specific matters.
For Tony, belief, clarity, and even disagreement are vital ingredients to good leadership. He leans into opposing opinions and unconventional thinking, knowing they often sharpen the final call. And when he encounters unfamiliar zones, the expansive talent pool across Cushman & Wakefield, both nationally and globally, adds another layer of confidence to his astute decision-making.
Emotional Intelligence in Action
In the cutthroat world of modern business, technical prowess and market know-how are mere pieces of the puzzle. The true differentiator that separates hype from enduring legacies is emotional intelligence. Without it, long-term success is downright impossible.
Emotional intelligence sits at the heart of how Tony leads. He views every team member through a viewfinder of individuality, molded by their unique life experiences and perspectives. This outlook guides how he communicates, motivates, and supports his 170-plus professionals, ensuring each person feels seen and valued.
By nurturing an environment where people feel genuinely understood and appreciated, he unlocks deeper engagement, stronger collaboration, and consistently high performance across diverse markets.
Leading Without Burning Out
For Tony Bachman, balance is a discipline, not a fancy corporate life goal. It is the key that keeps everything aligned, even when the pressure is enormous. Years of athletic training have hardwired the value of routine into his life, and he carries that mindset into leadership. He structures his calendar with intention, carving out time for fitness, scheduling downtime with family, and stepping away from his desk to stay connected with teams in the field. While high-stakes leadership comes with long nights and unexpected demands, he believes those moments should be the exception, not the rule.
By setting clear boundaries and focusing on outcomes over appearances, he avoids the burnout trap and keeps his leadership grounded in both performance and perspective. Echoing E.E. Cummings’ sentiment, “The most wasted of days is one without laughter,” Tony understands that even in the most demanding roles, a sense of lightness and joy is crucial for sustained energy and a booming team. So, he prefers levity over frowning, no matter the grind.
Staying Relevant by Refusing to Settle
He belongs to a domain that’s being reshaped by technology and shifting client expectations. Staying stationary is no longer an option here. Those who cling to comfort are the first to fade. The only way to stay in the game is to reject autopilot thinking. So, how does Tony ensure his leadership stays relevant? By endorsing an air of innovation.
For him, driving value implies constantly oppugning the status quo, both locally in Nashville and globally in the real estate industry. What sets his approach apart is a firm belief in initiatives that actually resonate with teams on the ground. While he’s cautious about top-down corporate messaging, he sees Cushman & Wakefield’s “Better Never Settles” ethos as an authentic, enterprise-wide movement. It reflects a mindset of continuous improvement, critical thinking, and an active resistance to complacency, qualities that keep both his team and clients ahead of the curve.
Building Leaders from the Inside Out
This industry veteran believes the strongest leadership pipelines are built internally, not sourced externally. With the unpredictability of hiring in today’s labor market, his focus is firmly on developing existing talent and creating clear paths for advancement.
Under Tony’s direction, mentorship has been formalized across the organization, with senior managers playing an active part in guiding employees beyond their direct teams. Associate Directors’ responsibilities have been revised. Now, they also act as cross-functional mentors while contributing to strategic market planning. This layered structure ensures employees receive the kind of guidance, training, and long-term development plans that prepare them to lead. The result is a competent setup where potential is recognized early and nurtured into performance.
The Reputation That Matters Most
Tony is, at his core, a people-first leader. His focus never wavers from those who bring every initiative to life. While he skillfully handles the complexities of the real estate world, his vision for leadership extends far beyond profit margins or market share. He doesn’t just grow a company; he treasures people. Such a human-centric philosophy starts with a profound respect for people, the dedicated teams that tirelessly build the business, and the valued clients who ensure its thriving existence. This principle extends beyond work. Tony and his wife Lucinda have taught their sons, Landon (8) and Cayson (5), the importance of respecting others. Leadership in life starts with treating everyone with respect, even in the face of disagreement. Tony emphasizes that respect is one of the few things we can control, and it is essential to personal and professional success.
He ardently wishes the next generation of real estate professionals to lead with empathy, ignite change with creativity, and possess a relentless drive to constantly improve how things are done. Tony’s focus isn’t solely on achieving operational excellence; it’s powerfully rooted in cultivating a culture where innovation and care attune. Tony shares with conviction, “I only get one reputation, and the legacy of my reputation is priceless to me.” This persistent belief influences every decision he makes, serving as a potent base for the leaders he so sincerely hopes to inspire.
A Redefined Measure of Success
Success. It’s a word often draped in the glitz and gleam of financial milestones, the roar of applause, or the public recognition of a victory. Yet, sometimes, true success whispers softly in the moments of impact, in the lives touched, and in the promises kept. For Tony, this profound truth became his push. Coming from modest beginnings, Tony’s early definition of success was centered around financial goals.
He would think of a specific dollar figure as the undeniable marker of his arrival. However, as life unfolded, so did his perspective. Now, fulfillment comes not from numbers, but from impact, both at home and in the lives of others. Whether it’s creating stability for his family or showing up for his team with integrity, Tony finds success in the trust he earns and the lives he uplifts. He notes, “I feel the most successful when people share testimonies about how I was able to help them, how I made them a promise and delivered on it, and how I lead with transparency and respect.”
Business photos courtesy of Jayson Rivas, owner of JHR Photography.
Advice for the Ascent
For mid-level professionals eyeing executive leadership in real estate, Tony offers a mindset grounded in growth, resilience, and humility. He believes the path to the top isn’t just about climbing. Instead, it’s about continuously stretching beyond comfort, challenging norms, and being unafraid to stumble along the way. Mistakes, in his view, are inevitable, but they’re also invaluable if one is willing to learn. To these aspirants, Tony advises, “Do not be afraid to make mistakes, learn from them, and try not to make the same mistake twice.” For those willing to adapt, listen, and lead with intention, the path forward is wide open.
The Kind of Legacy That Speaks for Itself
The fundamental difference between a boss and a leader lies in the trail they leave behind, and Tony belongs to the latter. He is a trailblazer who leads not for recognition, but to empower others. He wants to be seen not as the hero of his story, but as someone who gives credit, sparks change, and leads with heart. Tony understands that his legacy shapes those who continue what he has started. Both personally and professionally, he strives to act with integrity, building something his colleagues and his two sons can be proud to carry forward. As Dr. Seuss wrote, “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.” Tony hopes that the moments he helped create will become cherished memories, showing that great achievements come from doing things differently.
