Unfortunately, when things get tough, it’s not socially acceptable to throw sand at our opponent.
About me: I’m impatient, antsy and funny. In this business, I’ve learned it takes all types of agents and clients to make the world turn. As real estate agents, when you’re in the trenches, playing nice in the sandbox with your clients and colleagues can seem like climbing a mountain without a harness.
Don’t rely on the other agent in the transaction to do your work. I once had an agent who emailed me after closing to ask if I could send them a copy of my file so they could get paid. Seriously? Earn your half of the commission split, and don’t make the other party involved in the sale chase you for paperwork like you just robbed a bank.
Occasional public opinion aside, we do a lot of work to get a transaction off the ground and to the closing table. It’s easy to become resentful or disgruntled. Do your part in the transaction, and do your own work.
Ignoring phone calls and emails is not a good way to conduct your business. Not delivering news, an item of a critical nature, is unprofessional and can be disastrous. Whether it’s a listing or a property in escrow, I try diligently to communicate with all parties involved in my transactions at least once a week. I don’t succeed all the time, but I try my best to make sure that everyone knows I am still alive, breathing and know they exist.
An embarrassing moment in my career was when I screamed at the co-op agent with whom I was working on a transaction. To make matters even worse, this agent worked in my office. I let my frustration during a heated conversation take over, and I temporarily lost all the sanity and professionalism I had.
I should have been the bigger person and maintained control over the situation. My behavior compromised the rest of the transaction. If you feel frustration boiling over, talk to your broker or a colleague. Write a nasty email, but send it to yourself only. Do everything you can to keep yourself from crossing over to the dark side. Maintain your composure at all costs.
What does it mean to me? Treat others how you want to be treated; be kind. Yes, some people are nasty no matter what you do. Most are not. At the end of the day, we are all humans — not robots. Something I often forget. We are people with feelings, bad days and outside circumstances that sometimes overlap into our work lives. Try and put yourself in the other person’s shoes before snapping to judgment. Kindness goes a long way.
Fellow agents will fondly remember with whom they had an excellent experience. I know I do.
Leigh Brown's reader mail: Do I change brokerages?