Can Introverts Survive a Career in Real Estate (or Any Sales Field for That Matter?): Before you attempt to answer this question, you must first know what an introvert is. Many introverts don't even know what true introversion is, so you may want to do your homework first (which by the way is what introverts do best: study. It comes in handy when trying to keep up with the ever changing world of real estate and the demands of our educational requirements). I won't define it here because I'm just curious about the relevancy of some responses (if any) based on current perceptions. By the way, there are some names of famous introverts in this post that you might even recognize.
Let's see how the following introvert attributes might work in the world of real estate:
THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE: Because introverts love learning, their heads are always stuck in a book trying to
find out more information about something. Seminars and workshops are like books in 3-D. Introverts study and research everything. To the introvert, facts are far more important than opinion. This comes in very handy in preparation for and during the listing presentation and when assisting buyers with their search, offer and negotiations. You don't ever have to worry about introverts winging it. It's just not going to happen. Preparation RULES: Data is the introverts friend.
SELF-AWARENESS (a.k.a. TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE): This is a big one because introverts are inward people and contemplate a lot about who they are. Self-awareness is a constant. This is important because introverts know their limits at all times and strive to find ways to work within those limits. Unlike many extroverts, introverts only want to use methods that fit their personality. The tried and true methods that work for everyone else usually does not fit the introverts unique style. Introverts possess quiet strengths and play them up really well.
LISTEN UP: Of all the strengths that come in handy in the real estate business, the ability to listen probably tops them all. While one thinks that introverts never talk, it's probably because they too busy listening. It's almost unheard of for an introvert to speak without having given some thought to a matter. We're not talking about long drawn out contemplative situations just to answer a simple question. How often have I heard it said that buyers and sellers don't want to know how great we are, they want someone to listen to their needs and act accordingly.
FACTS vs OPINION: It's been said that the one sure way to get an introvert to shut up is to talk about something they know nothing about. That comes in handy because the one thing you don't have to worry about is the introvert talking just to hear themselves talk. Small talk is not the introverts forte' but you strike up a conversation of substance, you better have your facts together.
YOU MIGHT RECOGNIZE SOME OF THESE INTROVERTED FOLKS: Bill Gates, Chris Scherpenseel (president of Microsoft's 140-employee FRx Software subsidiary) Steven Spielberg, Warren Buffet, Charles Schwab, Former Sun Microsystems executive Jim Green (Source USA Today). Oh yeah, and AR's very own Jennifer Allan).
MY FIRST YEAR RECRUITMENT EFFORTS: This is the second year for Bham WIiRE Realty and this will be the first year of my recruiting efforts. Call it the Jay Leno Experiment of real estate if you will, but I plan to specifically seek out and recruit introverted real estate agents. BOOOOORING may be your first thought, but I believe introverts have tremendous gifts, talents and abilities to bring to the table and are often overlooked because people don't understand the introvert or don't care to. I am so looking forward to building this dynamic team of introverted real estate agents in Alabama (for which I AM ONE).
So if you happen to know any introverted (or shy as you may inappropriately deem it) agents in the Metropolitan Birmingham, Alabama area please please, please ask them to give me a call so we can talk.
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