Effective leadership is never guaranteed, even in the real estate industry. Managing a successful team necessitates a solid foundation due to changing market conditions, customer needs, and agents navigating their business issues. Among these, listening is one of the most crucial.
In this blog, we'll go over three doable and realistic methods that real estate executives can develop their listening skills and create teams that are more resilient and powerful.
Walking around the office daily is a great method to interact with your staff. It demonstrates to your staff that you are paying attention and being present. Make it a point to get out and engage with your team every day, regardless of whether you work in a large, open office or a smaller, more personal setting.
Agents, administrative personnel, and other team members are available for check-in. Prove to them that you are interested in more than just the figures. You can ask one of your agents how things are going if they appear weird or are usually cheerful. Recalling their achievements, such as a significant listing they recently obtained or their child's soccer match, demonstrates your interest in their welfare.
Your daily schedule counts. Maintain a daily routine, even if it is flexible and falls inside a window of ten to fifteen minutes. This consistency displays your dedication to maintaining communication and involvement with your team despite your hectic schedule.
This is what big-name leaders like Ryan Serhant and Barbara Corcoran are known for. They prioritize accessibility and relationships, even when managing large teams.
Clarity is essential whether you're sending an email regarding a new listing strategy or giving a market update at a team meeting. It's important to consider how you say things as well as what you say. The most effective leaders understand that although ambiguous language breeds misunderstanding, straightforward communication spurs action.
Here's the proper way to do it:
Be Brief
Avoid unnecessary cushioning. Whether you're writing a speech or an email, get directly to the point. For example, when announcing a change to the office's CRM program, be clear right away about the "what," "why," and "how." Excessive explanation or the addition of fluff erodes your argument.
It's okay to not know everything.
Real estate moves quickly, and you may not always have all the answers at once. This is totally fine. Don't be scared to acknowledge that. Your team will value your candor more than they will value a speculative response. Credibility and trust are increased when a leader takes responsibility for their knowledge and ignorance.
Test Your Message Before You Deliver It.
Have a trusted colleague review any key emails or team meetings before sending them. New perspectives can help you improve the message or spot errors. Writing down what you want to say beforehand can help you concentrate on the most crucial details and prevent you from rambling if you're communicating verbally.
The atmosphere in which the team works is influenced by the words you use. Effective and clear communication gives your agents the confidence and accuracy to act.
It’s well exemplified by real estate leaders like Tom Ferry, who emphasizes transparency with his coaching clients, fostering an environment of growth.
One of the foundations of effective leadership is consistency. Make sure you follow through on your commitments, whether they be to attend a weekly team meeting, follow up on an open house lead, or have a one-on-one meeting with an agent.
It conveys the idea that your time is more valuable than theirs if you don't follow through. Probably one of the best ways to demonstrate respect is to be aware of this. Your staff begins to question their place in your priorities if you abruptly cancel or reschedule.
Every commitment you make, no matter how great or small, is subject to this. Make sure you fulfill any commitments you may have made to provide a listing update by a certain date or assist an agent with a challenging negotiation. Your staff will appreciate your candor if you are upfront about any changes that need to be made due to unforeseen circumstances.
A leader should always stand by their promise. Delivering on commitments regularly demonstrates that you're not only talking the talk but really acting on it. This is how successful real estate professionals like Grant Cardone build and maintain their business empires. They don’t just say what they’ll do; they get it done.
Becoming a better leader in real estate isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about building a strong foundation and sticking to core principles. Listening is one of those principles.
When you walk into the office, listen to your team’s concerns, communicate clearly, and always follow through on your promises, you earn your team’s trust and respect. The result? A more engaged, motivated, and productive team. And as any seasoned real estate leader knows, those qualities make all the difference when market conditions get tough.
Leadership is about action, not just words. It starts with listening, and it ends with results.
