At Homestead, leadership isn’t just a position—it’s a mindset, a mission, and a daily commitment to continuous improvement. That spirit of growth and intentionality was on full display when our President, Dean Sackett, joined Michelle Simms-Reiter on The Work in Progress Podcast. Their conversation dove deep into the personal, professional, and philosophical lessons Dean has learned throughout a dynamic and often unconventional career.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
Dean’s journey into the homebuilding industry is anything but traditional. Having lived in six different countries and essentially started over nine times, Dean’s career has been shaped by constant transitions, challenges, and reinvention. What kept him grounded? Two things: faith and a relentless drive to push through.
Early in his journey, Dean realized he couldn’t afford to be the perfectionist he wanted to be—especially in times of change. Instead, he focused on progress, not perfection, and became committed to pushing past his own limits. This constant self-reflection and growth mindset is something he still carries today.
So why make the leap into homebuilding? For Dean, it was about the challenge, the relationships, and the trust that precedes any great opportunity. He trusted his read on the people and the potential—knowing that when the right individuals align, transformation can happen.
At a key inflection point in his career, Dean stepped into Homestead—a company with a solid foundation—and asked, “How can I make an impact?” Bringing outside perspective into an already successful business is no small task, but for Dean, the risk was worth the reward. His vision? To build on Homestead’s legacy by strengthening strategy, driving consistency, and delivering a superior customer experience.
Under Dean’s leadership, Homestead’s focus has sharpened: satisfied customers, profitability, and a strategic plan with clear direction. But that customer-first focus also meant rethinking how the team collaborates—both internally and with trade partners.
Dean believes that in order to serve the customer well, leaders must also serve their team. That means fostering a culture of collaboration, communication, and trust. By encouraging self-reflection and embracing a more unified way of working, the Homestead team has stepped up to the challenge—and the results speak for themselves.
Dean’s proudest accomplishments don’t come from flashy wins, but from quiet consistency. From leading companies through change to taking calculated risks, his success stems from listening first, acting second, and never bulldozing change.
He’s learned that you don’t quit companies—you quit bosses. And the best bosses, in Dean’s experience, are the ones who challenge you while still supporting you when you stumble. As a leader, he aims to be just that: someone who sets up guardrails, encourages growth, and gives his team the space to stretch, take ownership, and learn.
Something he was told early on from a boss, “You can never be the same boss as someone else. Take the best of what you see, but make it your own.”
When asked about failures, Dean’s answer is simple: “I don’t look at the world that way.” He acknowledges mistakes, but he sees them as learning opportunities—moments that, in time, reveal their value.
His biggest growth area? Letting go of perfectionism. Learning to give himself grace, move forward, and stay productive—even in the face of setbacks—has been a powerful evolution in his leadership.
Listening. It’s the cornerstone of strong communication and meaningful leadership.
As Dean steps fully into his role as President, his focus is on intentional growth: bringing the right people to the table, planning long-term, and staying true to Homestead’s customer-first philosophy. It’s more of the same—but more strategic, more focused, and more impactful.
Dean’s guiding principle is simple yet powerful: everyone is a customer. Whether it’s a client, a trade partner, or a team member—viewing every interaction through that lens creates space for better conversations, better service, and better results.
Homestead is proud to be led by a leader who lives what he believes: challenge yourself, trust the process, and build better—together.
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