I guess I was really naive when I started out selling Real Estate in the Wilkes-Barre area a couple of years ago. I honestly took the phrase, "cooperating broker" to mean that our duties as Realtors is to cooperate with other Realtors in order to provide the best service to our clients. I liked the idea of working with the other Realtors in my area to come to a common place where the needs of our clients are met and everyone can walk away from the closing table feeling satisfied with what they've just done. You know, a sort of "everyone reaching a common goal" kind of thing. We are in the business of helping people buy and sell homes, right?

Boy, was I wrong!!! I know, you're probably thinking, "Oh boy, here he goes again! Bring out the cheese to go with this wine!!" I understand. Nobody cares much for the bleeding hearts who all just want to "get along". Or do they? Am I the only one tired of dealing with megalomaniacs whose gargantuan egos make it difficult to see past their own selfish desires to what truly benefits their clients?

How many Realtors out there really like having to fight tooth and nail for every transaction? Since when did our Realtor designation become equitable with "prize fighter" or "heavyweight champ"? Why do we have to approach every sale with our fangs bared, ready to do battle with the opponent and face down the ever looming Goliaths that await us across the closing table? Do we have to mark our success by how many other Realtors we steamrolled to become successful, like so many knotches on our spears? Do I need to put on my war paint like Braveheart and head off to meet the Brits?

Where are you going Andrew?
"I'm goin' ta pick a fight!"

Let me just say, for those naysayers out there who will say that we need to be prepared to deal with adversity because it's a part of what we do, I agree. But I'm sure not going to look for trouble around every corner. And don't give me that, "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen" crap. I don't think setting the kitchen on fire to better illuminate my overblown ego in any way suits my client's needs.

I also don't believe we need to create a bigger monster to fight off the other monsters. We need to search for common solutions to our problems. It doesn't have to be "my way or the highway". We all use contracts in our every day business. We all went through some sort of training and testing to be sure we have at least the fundamentals to do our jobs. We are all humans, flaws and all, which means we make mistakes and errors in judgement all the time. Yes, even though you sell $8 million a year in Real Estate, you are capable of making mistakes. In my estimation, the fact that you are doing so much at the same time increases your chances of making a mistake exponentially. Thus, we need to use our skills as negotiators and problem solvers to find solutions, not let our emotions and egos rule the day and ruin our transactions.

Maybe it's just because I've had to deal with  some of this type of pettiness today, or maybe it's just because I'm an Idealist who believes that things could be so much better if things were different. I guess it's probably a combination of both. My day certainly sparked the idea and the Idealist in me just had to express it. I like to think of myself as a good negotiator and problem solver. I'm generally very good with people. I'd say most of the people I meet like me and enjoy doing business with me. I'd like to keep things this way.

So, if you are looking for a fight, you're looking in the wrong place. I don't have the time or energy to spend dealing with you. As my teenage daughter would say, I don't need your drama!"

Thanks for your patience as I rant tonight.

Until next time...