For each of us, what we "think" is real is our truth. Perception or, sometimes, (mis)perception is everyones reality even when that understanding is not based on reality, but is a result of misunderstanding and bad information.
Human interaction is fraught with misunderstanding. Take for example the old party trick where you line up 8 or 10 people and then someone whispers something in one person's ear. Then the "secret" is moved down the line by each successive person repeating the phrase to the next one in line. It's usually pretty entertaining and surprising to hear what comes out at the other end and how close it is to (or far from) the initial wording. Often, the final version bears no resemblance to the first version. While this can be fun at a party, in real life, it's not funny at all.
In everyday conversations we listen to what someone says and then our brains filter that information. We use body language, our past experiences, and what we were "expecting" to hear. Then as memory fades and the story gets retold, the new perception is sometimes not even close to the reality of what was actually said. The result can be devastating to personal and business relationships.
This is one of the reasons that modern society relies almost exclusively on written contracts. Years ago, keeping your word was (and still is) considered a function of honor and integrity. And most people would live up to their word - then and now. However, when two honest people can disagree over what was "actually" said, trouble is brewing.
As real estate brokers, we live and die by the written word - mostly contracts, forms, addenda, attachments, covenants, and so on. I recommend an additional written record in the form of a contemporaneous, bound journal of our business conversations. Then, in the event of a misunderstanding, a "he said - she said" scenario, we have a record of what was said. The disagreement should end there, but sometimes it doesn't and you could end up in court. Once there, Judges look VERY favorably on this type of evidence, especially when the other side is relying solely on memory.
So take care of your clients - take care of yourself - - and start that journal, today!
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