Putting The United Back Into The United States: Mitch Francis On The 5 Things That Each Of Us Can Do To Help Unite Our Polarized Society
An Interview With Jake Frankel
The problems we face are so big that we feel our ability to affect any change seems futile. After all, we’re just a single termite in a mound of billions. Wrong! The Dalai Lama said, “Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room.” Each of us can find a cause that we believe in. Tell friends and family what you believe and what you want to achieve. Write to all representatives in your state and in congress, regardless of party. Explain that your goals have nothing to do with party affiliation, so obtaining consensus across the aisles should be doable. Simply put, show how your solutions to problems are non-partisan and how advocating them as such is the best chance for this change.
As a part of our series about 5 Things That Each Of Us Can Do To Help Unite Our Polarized Society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mitch Francis.
Mitch Francis, the founder of Francis Development Inc., is a visionary entrepreneur with a track record of success in commercial real estate development and the entertainment industry. Over nearly three decades as CEO of a publicly-traded company, Mitch pioneered and patented 3-D motion simulator attractions and grew the business into Las Vegas’ largest ticket broker. An inventor with six US patents, Mitch applies his superior problem-solving skills and tenacity to tackle today’s most pressing issues in his book “Bad-Ass Solutions for Today’s Big-Ass Problems.” His bold, non-partisan ideas aim to spark real change and make the world a better place. Learn more at bad-asssolutions.com.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I grew up in Denver, Colorado, which naturally led me to become a downhill racer on Vail’s ski team. I later attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, where I was among the first students in the country to major in real estate. Over the past 40 years, I’ve built a diverse career as the founder and CEO of both publicly traded and private companies. In addition, I’ve developed and continue to manage commercial real estate across the U.S.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
Although my dad was never in the real estate business in the traditional sense, he was involved in the real estate aspects of his retail business. That was what caught my interest early on and made me realize that this was the direction I wanted to pursue. The basics of owning commercial real estate just made so much sense to me. You have a tenant who pays rent, property taxes, utilities and even most of the repairs and maintenance; the rent goes up every so often, making your return on investment increase continually; the rent reduces the loan on the property, (if you have one), for about 25 years, at which point you own the property debt-free, with even greater return to you; you derive some tax benefits to offset your rental gains; and when you sell, the value is based on the higher rent, so you usually have a substantial gain that is taxed at the capital gains level. I was all in!
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
I just launched my new book, “Bad-Ass Solutions for Today’s Big-Ass Problems.” I wanted to do exactly what I advocate for and provide extremely logical and doable solutions to the biggest problems we face today. I’m spending a great deal of time being interviewed on podcasts and radio shows to talk about these solutions. It’s an all-encompassing project and I’m really glad to be out here actually talking about these solutions I’ve dedicated so much time to developing and writing about.
Over the past month, I received final documentation of approval from the United States Patent Office that three of my new inventions were approved. I’m so busy with discussions around my book “Bad-Ass Solutions” that I don’t even have time to set up the businesses required to monetize the inventions. It’s all a work in progress and hopefully all of my new inventions will be available to the market soon, because I think all three will be worthwhile endeavors.
The book is a game changer for the way we look at problems, and while it’s presented as a list of solutions, the real purpose of the book is to demonstrate the kind of problem solving that is possible when you look at things from an anti-partisan lens. It’s the kind of problem solving we need more of in the world. With regard to my inventions, I can’t go into too much detail. What I can say is that I apply the same philosophy to my designs as I did when writing my book. My goal has always been to invent things that can change the world somehow, however small it may be. When you start inventing purely for money, you can end up creating problems rather than solving them.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Was there a particular person who you feel gave you the most help or encouragement to be who you are today? Can you share a story about that?
I’ve had so many mentors along the way, from various business professionals to accountants, lawyers, and family. The funny thing was, many of them didn’t realize I was soaking up everything they said and did. I don’t think there was one single thing that contributed to my success. Successful people in every step of your path always know more than you do about their area of expertise. Shut up, listen, and learn!
Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or take away did you learn from that?
I always convince myself that a new business or endeavor will be easier than the last. It never is. Everything takes much, much longer than you would ever guess. I once developed a shopping center in Los Angeles that had the rare support of the local homeowners’ association and the local councilman. The project still took two years to pull a permit! The lesson here is that if you expect hard work, you can never be blindsided.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
I loved “Megatrends” from the 90’s. It excited me about the future and showed me the value of looking down the road at the trends we can see and how they should impact the decisions we make.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
The most intelligent thing anyone ever said to me: “It’s not about being in the right place at the right time. It’s about KNOWING you are.” Opportunities go by all of us, all the time, with few acting on them. One of my favorite examples is when 3M invented a new kind of glue — but when they tested it, they found that it didn’t work very well at all. It was a failed project until one of their team members used the “bad glue” to invent Post-It notes!
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is having a vision that other people believe in enough to put up their money or time to help make it a reality. Having good sales skills is critical. Here’s an example: I realized that one of my businesses had run its course and would just continually fade away. Before it was too late, I developed a completely new business idea and convinced my board, shareholders, and staff to join me on this new business. We let the old business die and rolled it into the new business with just a bit of overlap. The new business became the number one in its market and sold more than one billion dollars of its products. Thank goodness they followed me that time!
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. The polarization in our country has become so extreme that families have been torn apart. Erstwhile close friends have not spoken to each other because of strong partisan differences. This is likely a huge topic, but briefly, can you share your view on how this evolved to the boiling point that it’s at now?
Both parties and their intractable “party positions” just serve to feed on our differences and exacerbate hate and distrust of each other. I am sick of the red-state / blue-state categories that try to succinctly define a US state and its entire population of millions of diverse Americans as if there is only one issue involved, as there was for the Civil War. Is that what they’re trying to duplicate? Feels like it. This political polarization is dangerous stuff. We need to be brought together, not separated for the benefit of political parties and the convenience of the press.
I have no pretensions about bridging the divide between politicians, or between partisan media outlets. But I’d love to discuss the divide that is occurring between families, co-workers, and friends. Do you feel comfortable sharing a story from your experience about how family or friends have become a bit alienated because of the partisan atmosphere?
I have family members who are extreme in their beliefs — so much so that we had to agree not to discuss political issues when we get together.
In your opinion, what can be done to bridge the divide that has occurred in families? Can you please share a story or example?
Agree to disagree.
At a Thanksgiving meal at my home, my sister and brother-in-law didn’t like the conservative conversation and actually walked out. They were frustrated by the opinions being voiced about what’s happening in our country. The relationship was fractured for two years. We finally agreed to not talk politics at family functions and it’s been quite good for a while now.
How about the workplace, what can be done to bridge the partisan divide that has fractured relationships there? Can you please share a story or example?
Much like avoiding political issues with extreme family members, I’ve found the same is necessary with workplace relationships. Strive to be the boss and fire everyone who doesn’t disagree with you. No! That’s obviously a joke. Outside of that, strive to have an environment where everybody respects others’ opinions and not be criticized for what they believe.
I think one of the causes of our divide comes from the fact that many of us see a political affiliation as the primary way to self-identify. But of course, there are many other ways to self-identify. What do you think can be done to address this?
People need to take stock of their priorities and decide that who they are should extend way beyond political ideologies. (I added this sentence….what do you think?) We can do this by focusing on solving the big problems we face rather than the politics that divides us. There’s little room for partisanship when trying to tackle important issues that affect all of us. It makes sense to problem-solve together. Having no horse in the race is just what’s needed for unbiased perspective and creativity.
Much ink has been spilled about how social media companies and partisan media companies continue to make money off creating a split in our society. Sadly the cat is out of the bag and at least in the near term there is no turning back. Social media and partisan media have a vested interest in maintaining the divide, but as individuals none of us benefit by continuing this conflict. What can we do moving forward to not let social media divide us?
Simply reject being pigeonholed and grouped into large categories like red-state / blue-state.
What can we do moving forward to not let partisan media pundits divide us?
In the real world, apart from the party-line politicians, aren’t we all actually liberal on some issues and conservative on others? It seems everyone I talk to is this way. This thoughtfulness and flexibility I find in real Americans gives me hope. We need to bypass the intractable loyalty to rigid party positions to actually accomplish something.
Can you please share your “5 Steps That Each Of Us Can Take To Proactively Help Unite Our Country”.
Following are five ideas for helping to unite our polarized society:
1. The problems we face are so big that we feel our ability to affect any change seems futile. After all, we’re just a single termite in a mound of billions. Wrong! The Dalai Lama said, “Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room.” Each of us can find a cause that we believe in. Tell friends and family what you believe and what you want to achieve. Write to all representatives in your state and in congress, regardless of party. Explain that your goals have nothing to do with party affiliation, so obtaining consensus across the aisles should be doable. Simply put, show how your solutions to problems are non-partisan and how advocating them as such is the best chance for this change.
2. Discuss issues with other people, making a concerted effort to weed out party lines from both you and your friend’s sides. Try: “Don’t we really want the same result here? It seems that all we differ on is how to get there. Let’s discuss solutions that disregard constraints of party politics, or even cost. Just pursue what can actually work to resolve this problem for all sides.”
3. Examine and get involved in a fantastic new organization called UnifyAmerica.org. They are all about this exact topic:
“We are on a mission to replace political fighting with collaborative problem-solving. In America today, our differences are weaponized, and We the People are becoming disempowered and hopeless. But what if our differences were precisely the superpower we need? What if we could solve our nation’s toughest problems together? Conflict entrepreneurs who profit from our division want this to feel impossible, but alongside thousands of people in America, we’re proving them wrong.”
4. It seems that the recent election demonstrated more extreme polarization in the US than ever. It also seems that many on both sides have taken the surprising results as a catalyst to give some thought and discussion to the components of each candidate’s/party’s positions that worked — or didn’t. This creates a great opportunity to have a good discussion with someone from the “other team” to examine whether the flip-flopping on taxes, border, and energy signaled that we all really want the same things. Strive with the “other team” to put down the rhetoric and find common ground. It’s there.
5. Find humor in the positions of both parties. They believe this. We believe that. What a mess. To find common ground, let’s just laugh and be friends. Maybe we’ll all be happier Americans together. As Yitzhak Rabin reminds us, “You don’t make peace with your friends you need to make peace with your enemies.”
Simply put, is there anything else we can do to ‘just be nicer to each other’?
Just respect that each person can have their own views.
We are going through a rough period now. Are you optimistic that this issue can eventually be resolved? Can you explain?
Our country is doing badly right now on delivering the promise of America to so many of its citizens who are struggling and have little hope. America itself is facing decline in myriad ways. I
want to help the US survive and to see it and my fellow citizens thrive. This is my way: to offer solutions that just might ameliorate our worst problems.
If you could tell young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our society, like you, what would you tell them?
My lifetime in business has revealed an axiom: roadblocks are continually thrown in the way of every single step a businessperson must take toward his/her goals. To succeed, you need to develop really good problem-solving skills and be relentlessly tenacious. Solving cultural and national problems is no different.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Elon Musk: He is creating the future directions that we’ll all be living in.
How can our readers follow you online?
Website: bad-asssolutions.com.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-francis-a39094236?trk=people-guest_people_search-card
This was very meaningful, and thank you so much for the time you spent on this interview. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Putting The United Back Into The United States: Mitch Francis On The 5 Things That Each Of Us Can… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.