San Diego’s Jason Hughes: Five Reasons Why Tony Robbins Is One of My Heroes

San Diego-based Hughes Marino CEO Jason Hughes has been a longtime believer in the power of positive thinking, inviting the world's most inspiring speakers to motivate his team and elevate the HM brand. When he's not hard at work at his company's San Diego headquarters, Jason Hughes spends his time hanging out with his family, working out, traveling, and reading books by motivational speakers, one of whom is Tony Robbins. Robbins has coached everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Serena Williams, four U.S. presidents, Nelson Mandela, and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. Rapper Pitbull grew up listening to Tony Robbins' tapes in the car on his way to school, and Robbins continues to inspire millions of people around the world - Jason Hughes included - with his messages of empowerment.

"Leadership is a skill of influence that all of us have to have," Robbins said on Evan Carmichael's YouTube channel. "If you want to change your life, you have to change your physiology and your focus. The first person you have to influence is yourself. The mistake we make is we don't connect enough to understand others."

Robbins believes life is found in the dance between what one desires most and what one fears most. "What makes you a leader is your ability to make a decision," Robbins said on YouTube. "Anybody can make an easy decision, but leaders make the tough decisions."

Since he began working for Cushman & Wakefield in the Century City area of Los Angeles in the '80s, Jason Hughes has been a fan of Robbins, reading his books and soaking up his motivational messages. Even after earning his MBA in real estate finance from the University of San Diego, Jason Hughes has continued to follow Robbins, sharing some of his messages and visions with his ever-growing Hughes Marino team.

"Tony has always been a big inspiration to me," Jason Hughes says. "I admire his endless energy, and his can-do attitude really aligns with my own values. He provides life advice that anyone on any level can benefit from, and that's powerful."

Coaching his team has become essential to how Jason Hughes leads his company across uncharted waters. "Every business leader wants to have a dream team of people with a strong work ethic, premium customer service skills, and an infinite flow of positive energy. Since we opened our doors, we've focused on cultivating talent within our team and keeping a cohesive vibe."

Jason Hughes is confident that when he leaves his San Diego office each day, his team members are empowered in their roles. He trains his crew to trust their instincts, break down walls for stronger communication, and seek outside coaching advice from dynamos such as Robbins to remain passionate and enthusiastic about company goals, personal goals, and the ultimate Hughes Marino vision.

Here are five ways Jason Hughes feels Tony Robbins gets it right.

1. Tony Robbins Never Gives Up."The path to success is to take massive, determined action," Robbins advises. "Tony knows shifting your mindset matters," Jason Hughes agrees. "We're focused on delivering maximum results at all times. Our team approaches projects with tenacity. It's important to remember that in life, there are no shortcuts. It requires endurance, intelligence, and a willingness to outwork everyone else. Success is not an entitlement. You have to earn it every day."

2.  Tony Robbins Doesn't Accept Failure. "Belief in failure is a way of poisoning the mind," says Robbins. "Like Tony, I believe failure is a stepping-stone to success," Jason Hughes affirms. "It's not a failure if you learn something. Step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself and your team."

3. Tony Robbins Keeps His Eyes on the Prize. "Where focus goes, energy flows," Robbins declares."Tony believes we can condition our minds every day to be in a peak state and he's right," Jason Hughes says. "You can create rituals daily to build momentum. Focus on your 'why' each day. We continually evaluate our goals and the pathways to achieving them. Communication and commitment are a key part of the process. We're all about cheering on our team and rewarding them for a job well done."

4. Tony Robbins Isn't Afraid To Take Risks. "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten," Robbins asserts. At his San Diego offices, Jason Hughes often leads with the attitude "Think big and be big." At the helm of Hughes Marino, Jason Hughes is always pushing himself and his team to take intelligent risks. "Pursue constant growth and learning," Jason Hughes says. "Knowledge is power. Look for opportunities for improvement in all you do. Strive to partner with the best people in your industry. Every day is a chance to do something extraordinary. My team and I have conquered mountains together. We never stop chasing the next big dream."

5. Tony Robbins Understands Accountability. "It's easy to blame others, but it's better to find a solution," Jason Hughes says. "Talk with your team. Accountability is everything." At the company's San Diego office, Jason Hughes is all about teamwork, accountability, and camaraderie. "We continue to be one of the most admired companies in San Diego and it's also one of the best places to work," Jason Hughes says. "None of that happened by chance or accident. Each one of us at HM comes to work each day to bring our best."

For Jason Hughes, it always goes back to his brand's consistent core values. "We have 10 core values and it's really a code we've based the entire company on," Jason Hughes says. "Be accountable, pay attention to the details, enjoy the journey, embrace the family spirit, generously give to others, make an effort to proactively communicate, and be grateful. These are just a few of the ways we keep our team inspired and on track to deliver excellence in all we do at Hughes Marino."