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Got a Problem? Resolve it in a Professional Manner

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with MBA Broker Consultants CalBRE Broker #00983670

Don't you just hate it when someone posts slander or gossip about you in an online public forum?  Well, if they're professionals, they shouldn't.  Why?

Because professionals have the courtesy to approach others directly.  Professionals, like us ActiveRain members, don't back-bite, gossip, slander, act passive/agressive, be a "sissy" by not confronting people, or whatever you want to call it.

So what do you do when you have an issue with an ActiveRain member or a colleague?  How should you vent your complaint?

  1. Go to the person -- phone works best (email is often taken out of context because there's no tone).  State your concerns in a non-threating way.  Listen, and ask for clarification.  You'll be surprised that at least 1/2 the time, the situation was NOT as bad as you thought.  And it's a good thing you didn't "go off" because you would have been putting your foot in your mouth!
  2. You can always talk to their manager or supervisor, if the issue is serious enough. 
  3. And you can choose to ignore it.  After all, who has time for negative energy?
  4. Whatever you do, don't take it personal!  Responding in a negative way only adds "fuel to the fire".

What do you do when someone (whether a colleague or client) posts a nasty complaint or rude gossip about you online, specifically here on Active Rain?

  1. You can approach the offender directly, but if they're obnoxiously rude online, they probably won't be any nicer in person.
  2. Flag the AR post as "slander" and send an email alert to the AR blog facilitators.
  3. Again, you can always choose to ignore it.  Remember, you don't have to stoop to their level of pettiness.  Rise above small-minded twits by NOT responding! 

Just because someone says something, doesn't mean it's true.  Other readers will be weighing the validity of the information by considering the source.  And to be honest, no one likes negative people!  So negative people do NOT get their blogs read as often.  And if you comment on their negative post, then it just gives their complaint more exposure.

Another Hollywood marketing tip:  Sometimes negative publicity is good for business.  Just think about Miss California and the publicity she got recently!!!

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, e-Pro
Author of eBook "Stop Foreclosure Fast: Solutions to Save your House"
Author of forthcoming book, "Virtual Office Guide for Business Professionals:  Work & Profit from Home"
Join & post to my NEW ActiveRain group at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

Enjoy my NEW Books:

 

  

Text copyright © 2009 R.P. Brown, All Rights Reserved

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape  

Posted by

Regina P. Brown
Broker, Realtor®, M.B.A., e-Pro, GREEN
California DRE # 00983670
www.CalCoastCountry.com

                

Text copyright © 2011-2018 R.P. Brown, All Rights Reserved

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape  

Comments (12)

Jim Hale
ACTIONAGENTS.NET - Eugene, OR
Eugene Oregon's Best Home Search Website

Wish I'd seen your post earlier tonight..  It would have saved me a lot of time.  Instead of spending a lot of time responding to an AR posting about a complaint about another agent, I could have just linked to your blog.

As my daddy would say:  My sentiments exactly.

 

Jun 14, 2009 07:22 PM
Regina P. Brown
MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA
M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Jim, don't you hate when a nasty blog gets you all riled up and you just gotta respond?  And then you spend so much time & energy -- that you could have used in a positive way to increase YOUR business instead!  That's why sometimes I just ignore and move on...

Jun 14, 2009 07:48 PM
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

The negative commentor/blogger stings themself with their own tail. I rarely feel the need to respond if it's personal . . .

Jun 14, 2009 11:21 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

I am still on vacation at Hilton Head Island. I had a few minutes with my cofee to stop by and say hello. Have a great week.

Jun 14, 2009 11:41 PM
Bettina Settles
Greenwood, IN
Your Indiana Connection

uhhhhh..I have seen many post's  and complaints about other agents that took off like wild fire and with several, as I did just a bit research (two minutes on the PC), actually where not true.

 

Jun 14, 2009 11:59 PM
Regina P. Brown
MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA
M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Candice, I agree, you have to take everything with a grain of salt.  With some people, it's the whole salt shaker!

Laura, thanks for stopping by even on your vacation!  Hope you're having a great time.

Bettina, isn't it amazing how some people jump on these gossip band wagons!

Jun 15, 2009 04:53 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

I have never had an issue with going straight to the source when I have a problem with anyone. I like for others to do the same.

Jun 15, 2009 07:22 AM
Regina P. Brown
MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA
M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

JL, I agree, that is the best philosophy.  A few times I went straight to the person, before getting too upset, and I was really glad I did!  I would have looked like an idiot if I had went off half-cocked because I didn't have all the details.

Jun 15, 2009 03:23 PM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Fully agree with you Regina, especially the part "where phone is best, with e-mail there is no tone"..., also agree, "just move on, why ruin your day". Enjoyed reading your post!  

Jun 17, 2009 11:32 AM
Regina P. Brown
MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA
M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Thanks, Al & Peggy!  Have you ever sent a nice email to someone, only to have them get mad because it seemed "angry" to them?  That's because you wrote with a positive tone, but they read it with a negative tone.  Email "tone" is too subjective.

Jun 18, 2009 04:29 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

I found a very professional comment on an MLS listing yesterday:

  1. Back on the market! Buyer flaked out.

Yep, that's real professional.

Jun 22, 2009 03:35 AM
Regina P. Brown
MBA Broker Consultants - Carlsbad, CA
M.B.A., Broker, Instructor

Russel, hey at least it's not seen by the public, eh!

Jun 22, 2009 08:07 AM