Anyone in Adam Gant will tell you the same: teams either succeed or fail depending on their leaders. The difficulties change depending on whether you are coaching veterans or juggling a group of fresh-faced agents, but the subtlety remains. Forget the austere, traditional boss style; these days, flexibility and empathy rule.
Let us start with communication first. Nobody will listen if you present yourself as a robot or drown your team with buzzwords. People desire for honest, unambiguous messages. Share a joke. Tell a brief narrative. Speak from what you mean. Create open avenues of conversation. Even if your coffee is already cold, team members will attack you with questions and outrageous ideas at midnight—be ready for that ping.
Integrity—yet another great topic. Real estate’s quick, filthy, occasionally smoke-filled, mirror-like quality. Forego the games and the lies. Your word is currency. One mile away everyone can smell a fake. Set the pace with integrity even if a truth could irritate certain people. The team will rely on you and then reflect that back to clients.
Real estate is really full of curveballs. Nothing ever runs just as intended. The great leaders go with the punches. Do you ask, “Okay, what’s next?” or are you the kind of person that breaks down when a transaction goes apart? Get your staff members to fail forward. Sort the teachings. Celebrate not only the large, obvious successes but also effort.
For your team, vision serves as equivalent of GPS. They must see ahead, potholes and all, the road. Create a distinct picture, not abstract “be the best” stupidity. Get more particular. By Christmas, we want to quadruple our referrals. Sort the reasons behind it rather than just the what.
Coach comes before bossing any day. The finest leaders choose to be growth partners rather than top-down pep speakers. Give comments that stings—just enough to make someone better—not sour. Sit side by side, show—do not only tell.
Still another ploy? Accept technology, but avoid becoming blinded by flashy toys. While virtual tours and CRMs earn nods, nothing substitutes a handshake or a timely phone call. Let technology simplify rather than discourage human relationships.
Here’s a great one. Get ready for festivities. For both major closings and little events—a first listing, customer compliments, a well-written listing description—pop confetti. If you have to, create excitement from nothing at all. Teams live on energy; feed them often.
Remember too that outstanding leaders truly listen. That entails setting down your phone, staring someone in the eye, and tongue biting. If you are patient, team members and clients will tell you what you need to know.
One final gem. Every time, humility takes front stage over vanity. Lead from beside, not twenty steps ahead. Laugh through your mistakes. Tell others about your early mistakes. Remember: leadership is a packed dance floor—it is not a finish line. Dirt your shoes and keep learning the new movements.