Well, the first day of school has come and gone.  We faced the slow traffic, en route.  We stood in line to get inside the school, stopping along the way for a few photo opportunities. We walked down the wrong hallway, but eventually found your kindergarten classroom.  Your friendly teacher met us at the door, helped place your backpack in your cubby, and showed you to your seat.  She then gently scooted Daddy out the door, to send him to the “Boo-hoo Breakfast” (for the parent’s first day of school).  Well, Daddy didn’t really cry, but did try to find the free breakfast treats.  I was unsuccessful. (I almost cried over that.) 

It was a long day without Daddy’s first-born, and I thought about her throughout the day.  The time passed by, though, and I eagerly traveled to pick you up, and once again endured the even slower traffic.  You got in the truck, and were happy, but understandably tired.  Daddy’s barrage of questions was only answered with simple Yes’s and No’s.  I didn’t press you, though.  It was your first day of school.  You may not be able to express it, but I’m sure you were a little overwhelmed.

So, the second day of school arrives.  Daddy loads you and your sister in the truck, and we head down the road.  Much less traffic today!  We drive down the car lane, and drop you off.  Daddy noticed there weren’t very many teachers around, but plenty of older students.  I said, “If you need help, just ask someone.”  You get out, without question, and head on your way.  Daddy pulls away, and heads back home.  But, as I drive away, I begin to feel that I’ve done something wrong.  For the first 2 minutes down the road, the thought nagged at me.  What did I do wrong?

In the real estate profession, whether it’s sales or property management, we spend an enormous amount of time and energy to locate customers.  Many times, we find those customers to be very new and uninformed about what we can do for them, and what lies ahead.  For me, it’s too easy to just take control of the task at hand and do what I do best.  I may say to them, “I’ll take it from here,” or, “I’ll let you know if I need anything,” or, “See you at the closing table!”  (I’ve never actually said that last one, but you get the point, right?)  Then, I continue on, to work tirelessly in order to reach the final destination, which comes in the form of either a property listing or a property management agreement, and its eventual sale or rental.

For some customers that’s fine, but for the newbie, it can have a devastating effect.  They need to be taught what’s in store for them.  They should be able to understand, to a good degree, what the process entails and what direction they should expect to be heading, even if I’m the one handling the process.  While I am the professional, the one with the license, and the one with more experience than they have, I can’t just leave them there without some direction or expectation of the coming events.  I must show them and explain to them what’s going to happen next.  I need to set reasonable expectations for them.

As I’m writing this, I realize I could exchange the word “customer” with “new agent”, and many of the same thoughts could be applied.  There’s probably a new agent in your office, still slowly getting his or her feet wet.  I’m certain he feels very insecure about his slow growth and lack of direction.  It can’t feel good. 

It’s situations like these which make me feel a little like I did this morning, when I dropped off my daughter at school.  What did I do?

After a 1-mile drive away from the school, I turned around.  I drove back to the school and went inside.  I stopped at the “check-in” desk, and was asked why I was coming into the school building.  (They require you to get a pass and sign-in).  I confessed to the assistant that I dropped off my 5-year-old at school, and just left her to find her own way.  I wanted to come back, to make sure she found the way to where she was supposed to go.  The assistant smiled and pointed me in the direction I should be headed.  When I got there, I arrived at the gathering room and found her, sitting in line with the rest of her classmates, ready to head to her classroom for the day.  I walked over to her, and apologized for leaving her there, not telling her which way to go.  I asked if I made her sad, and she said that I did, and that she cried a little bit.  She then said that a “big girl” helped her find her way. (It’s a K-thru-5 school).  Boy, did I feel terrible; still do.  I apologized again, and went on my way, kissing her as I left.

So, that was a short lesson for me in responsibility and looking after those with less experience and direction than I have been given.  It’s something I should never forget.  For the rest of the week, I’ll be walking my daughter into the school.  I intend to show her the path from the car rider drop-off, all the way to the gathering room.  We’ll also walk from the bus drop-off to the gathering room.  She needs to be taught, and I’m the one to do it.

Thanks for reading…

Eric M. Boyd
Realtor, e-PRO
Step One Realty, LLC
Jacksonville, FL
www.StepOneRealty.com