Erik Hatch is Bringing Leaders Together

What does participation look like?

A: In the Leader Sandbox, we offer two options for participation: the ‘Me’ and the ‘We’ paths. The ‘Me’ option is for those who want to develop their leadership skills individually. The ‘We’ option is for leaders who understand that a rising tide lifts all boats. These participants bring other influential members from their teams—managers, owners, or other key figures—so that the growth isn’t just theirs but shared among their organization. This approach prevents what I call the ‘plop and drop’ effect, where a single leader learns something transformational, returns to their team, and unintentionally disrupts things by introducing new ideas to people who weren’t part of the experience. By involving the team, growth is synchronized and far more effective, accelerating positive change throughout the organization.

We keep a structured yet varied rhythm to our gatherings, designed to keep things dynamic and engaging. First, we have quarterly meetings—two-and-a-half-hour sessions where each one is distinct and unpredictable. Leadership should be about constant innovation, not repetition, so I strive to make each session a unique experience. Predictability can lead to disengagement, so we create an engaging environment each time we meet, both for skill-building and personal connection. At our last session, for example, we did a deep dive into how participants felt about their businesses and their own well-being. This interactive time allowed for both personal and professional connections. After that, I delivered some focused training, and then we spent time in small groups, where participants shared insights and challenges. Each person had a ‘give and take’ moment—sharing one successful strategy and one current struggle. The feedback and problem-solving from peers made a profound impact, building trust and continuing conversations well beyond the meeting itself.

Our full-day retreats are all about deepening these connections. We make space for learning, play, and relationship-building because trust isn’t built through business alone. At our lake retreat, we’ll spend time together on the pontoon, play yard games, and enjoy relaxed happy hours to create an environment where trust develops naturally. When you laugh and relax together, real relationships form, and trust becomes the foundation. Business discussions are much more productive when built on that trust, and people can open up and support one another more genuinely.

Each gathering focuses on four core elements: connection, learning, giving, and taking. While the specifics change each time, these elements guide our process, from the short sessions to the full-day retreats. Then, there are one-on-one coaching sessions, where the approach is deeply personalized.

Have you done anything else like this previously?

A: I’ve been leading masterminds and similar groups for nearly a decade, mostly on a national scale—maybe even international since we once had a Canadian member. It’s been my bread and butter in the real estate world and my absolute favorite thing to do: creating a community where, no matter what I say, the most valuable part is connecting the right people. When people in similar positions come together, they can share and support each other in ways that no single leader can provide.

One day, while shopping at Halberstadt’s, I started a conversation with Tim Halberstadt. For years, Tim has been asking me about leadership, building, and marketing—he’s curious, always learning, and while we’re in different fields, we both understand that people are what make or break a business. Eventually, Tim said, ‘Hatch, why aren’t you training leaders here?’ That question hit me, and I realized two things. First, I’d been holding myself back with a limited mindset, thinking, ‘Nobody’s a prophet in their own land.’ Growing up and building my businesses here in Fargo, I’d started to believe that, in my hometown, I was just ‘Eric’—like Jenny from the block. I’d underestimated my own experience and worth. But Tim spoke some truth into me, reminding me I had something special, and if I wasn’t sharing it with local leaders, I was missing a real opportunity.

The second realization was a reminder of a personal mantra: ‘If not me, who? And if not now, when?’ Leadership can be lonely and difficult, and I know from experience how isolating it can feel. If I didn’t create a space for leaders here, who would? I’ve coached leaders and built communities in real estate for years, and I knew I could do it here. So I accepted the call—to be a leader of leaders and a coach of coaches. Not because I’m perfect, but because I know the power of community. And if I waited for the perfect time, I’d never start, so I decided to act.

Inspired, I sent a voice memo to 100 people. I kept it simple: ‘Tim, I see what you’re doing as a business owner, and I admire it. I don’t know if you feel this way, but this journey can be lonely. I’m playing with the idea of creating a community of leaders here, and I’d love for you to be part of it. If it sounds interesting, I’ll share more, and if not, no problem—just tell me to take a hike, and I’ll go get my steps in!’ Out of those 100, 87 responded, 60 said yes, and a dozen more said they’d consider it next time. That response told me I was onto something. Leaders here were hungry for community, even if they hadn’t realized it before.

Now, with almost 30 leaders in the Sandbox, we’re building something unique for people who might not have had this kind of opportunity before. And we have room for more leaders who are ready to give it a try.

Is this your first time doing this outside of the real estate space?

A: This is my first time creating a community outside the real estate space. I’ve done one-on-one coaching with professionals across many industries—mortgage lenders, chiropractors, wealth managers, and various business owners—but I hadn’t yet built an intentional community for leaders beyond real estate. Real estate naturally connected my previous groups; we spoke a common language that kept us all grounded.

Here, in the Fargo-Moorhead area, that shared thread isn’t real estate— it’s our connection to the local community. We’re all part of the same local fabric, and I’m excited to see if we can intentionally strengthen that. My goal is to foster growth that isn’t just professional but also lifts up this community we’re all rooted in.

What does that desired outcome look like for the larger-scale community?

A: When a leader like Tim Halberstadt chooses the ‘We’ option, not only does he grow, but so do the other leaders on his team. They start aligning more closely, harmonizing their efforts because they’re learning together, ‘drinking from the same fire hose,’ so to speak. They’re immediately able to discuss and apply what they’ve learned to accelerate their growth and pushing the business forward in a unified way.

Beyond that, Tim is now surrounded by other business owners, C-level executives, and senior managers who are facing similar challenges. He may not even have the words to express what’s difficult in his own work, but by seeing others work through those struggles, he gains clarity and direction to tackle his own. This environment is also contagious for vision building— being among people who are dreaming bigger and hoping for more helps lift his perspective. Often, when you’re in a tough spot, you’re focused just on getting through the day. But in a community filled with aspiration, energy, and hope, you’re reminded of the bigger picture and encouraged to think beyond survival to growth.

In the Leader Sandbox, we give people a space to grow, a community where they can solve problems, expand their vision, and help others do the same. Helping others is one of the greatest ways we grow ourselves. Selfishly, I started this community not only to serve others but because I want to grow, too. I know I become a better version of myself when I push beyond the status quo, seek out a community that challenges me, and engage in something that continually forces me to level up.

Is there anything else you want to say to the readers?

A: At its core, the heart of this is about service—building a community that’s authentic, supportive, and real. There’s also a personal layer to this for me; in a way, this is selfish because I want to grow too. I want to be surrounded by people I can genuinely connect with, not in a way that’s about comparing who has the largest team or the biggest balance sheet. True connection happens in our struggles, not in our highlights. When we can create a safe space for people to openly discuss their pains and challenges, it brings a depth that just isn’t found in the usual surface-level exchanges.

Too often, people ask, ‘How’s it going?’ and the answer is, ‘Things are good.’ But what if the answer is, ‘I’m overwhelmed,’ or ‘I feel lost’? That’s what I want to build here—a place where it’s okay to say, ‘I’m losing my mind with everything I’m dealing with right now,’ and to have people there who really listen and support you through it. In a world that often feels curated for Instagram, where everything looks perfect, I believe there’s so much value in spaces where we can admit our imperfections and get real support.

Hatch Coaching