You Are So Dumb. You are Really Dumb For Real!
When we moved our team to Keller Williams in 2006 we had an experience similar to that described here. The behavior of the owner of our former brokerage seemed short sighted at the time, and given their agent count is down from 600 to 150, and the office count is down from 13 to 5, it appears that what goes around does indeed come around.
“You are so dumb. You are really dumb, for real!” – Antoine Dodson, YouTube Star
WARNING: The following post was written high atop my soapbox. Readers’ discretion is advised.
Sometimes, I just want to scream the words of Antoine Dodson aloud for all managing brokers/broker owners to hear. “You are so dumb. You are really dumb, for real!”
For far too long, many (not all) managing brokers / broker owners have taken the people that have made them successful for granted. And have the audacity - the unmitigated gall - to act as though they are shocked when the associate shows up at their office; form in hand, to change firms. Newsflash! It’s not about you! The law of reciprocity (one of the most powerful laws in the universe) states that if you HELP people get what they want; they will feel inclined to help you get what you want.
When people desire to see you succeed, you no longer have to beg them to help and support you. They do it because the WANT to. POSITIONAL LEADERSHIP (people follow you because of your title) is the absolute lowest level of leadership. That means that people follow you because they feel like they have to, not because they choose to!
The lesson here is very clear – treat your associates like PARTNERS in your business instead of EMPLOYEES that should be grateful that you allow them to be a part of your glorious firm. Put their interests ahead of yours! Share, support, teach, guide and care about them as if your career depends on it (because actually, it does)!
Here’s another helpful hint. When an Associate chooses to change firms, treat them with dignity. Respect their decision, even if you think it is a bad one. Let them know that you are sorry to lose them, tell them how grateful you are for what they contributed during their tenure, and assure them that the door is always wide open for their return.
Believe it or not, I have had several great agents who transferred into our company tell me horror stories of being called names, having their listings held hostage, and a couple of instances where the managing broker was so ugly, that they actually made the Associate cry!
When you treat people with that kind of disdain, they will NEVER want to come back to your firm, nor will they refer other associates (or clients) to your company.
And for no extra charge, I will add this – do not make disparaging remarks about other brokers, firms, or leadership within those companies (even if you have to bit your tongue, literally). It makes you look bitter and petty. And most detrimental of all, it will cause the Associate to lose respect for you – and for your company.
I will end this post with a quote from my grandmother: “you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar”. Without the Agents, your firm is nothing. And it would serve you well to always remember that.
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