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The Battle Against Full Control and Having Lots of Headaches

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Selley Group Real Estate, LLC

Working Hands Together

Part of the beauty about what I do as Colorado Springs CO Realtor, as well as any other Realtor® in this profession, is that I get to develop my business model as I see fit.

That’s right.  I set the rules, if rules are important to me.  I create the definitions regarding core values and consumer service, if this is relative to my plan.  I determine the rhythm and pace of the workload by my own select choices.  Don’t I?  It seems like nine out of ten times, the answer is no, not really.

The truth of the matter is that if you want to be successful in this profession, then it’s really not about what “I” want.  Sure, having tremendous leadership abilities are very important about running your overall business operations.  Nonetheless, self-assertion and self-sufficiency and being top-heavy with advanced systems actually generate more resistance than allowing for skillful development in this business.

Through the years, I’ve found that the spirit of cooperation has torn down many walls of resistance in our particular business, whether systems or negotiations or relationships or self-limited beliefs or whatever else are involved.  The spirit of cooperation has propelled some of our most creative thoughts into action, followed by tangible results.

For example, our brokerage is relocating a large company from California to Colorado Springs over this next year.  And through the spirit of cooperation, we have confronted the brick wall of resistance (unnecessary fear and unhealthy competition between other professionals) in the relocation process.

Instead of trying to accumulate all the business for our own benefit, we’ve taken a different course of action.  We’ve rounded up some of the best in the area to participate in this adventurous endeavor.  We’ve basically torn down the walls of competition between fellow Colorado Springs Realtors, property management companies, lenders, hospitality companies and such.  Gracefully, we’ve made them part of our team approach.

The end result is that less resistance has now become part of this huge undertaking.

Seth Godin asserts that resistance is that voice that deters you from your creative genius and tries to make you to fit into the status quo.  If you’re a dreamer, an innovator, or a high achiever, then I encourage you to lessen your resistance instead of trying to add extra tools to your business tool bag that you probably won’t use in the future anyway.  The extra poundage of hammers might make you look good, but it will not make you feel better nor perform to your optimal potential.

Sometimes not having it all translates into really having it all.  I propose better living involves nourishment, not just having the focus on accumulation.  What are your thoughts?

Feel free to contact our Colorado Springs CO Realtors at Selley Group Real Estate, LLC:  2139 Chuckwagon Rd, Ste 210 - Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919 - 719. 598. 5101

Portions of this article are written by Gordon, as framed by the expressed opinions of Cherise, but not proofread.

Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Gordon,

You are embodiying the concept of Wikinomics and doing a great job.  In running a company, one has to be a benevolent dictaror so that there is one voice leading the message of the company and what it stands for.  A team needs a leader to rally around.  Great post, A

Apr 21, 2011 06:25 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Gordon, cooperation and building bridges and not walls goes a long way with the business model.

Apr 21, 2011 06:44 AM
Ann Allen Hoover
RE/MAX Advantage South - Hoover, AL
CDPE SRES ASP e-PRO Realtor - Homes for Sale - AL

Hi Gordon, best wishes to you and Cherise and the other professionals as you work together on this project.

Apr 21, 2011 08:32 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Tagrid,

Thanks for your support to our company... g

Apr 21, 2011 09:10 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Alexandra,

It takes a lot of surrender to reduce resistance between Cherise and me in the leadership roles of our company, as well as to share a common voice of vision and execution... g

Apr 21, 2011 09:12 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Gary,

It seems so simple, yet it's so easy to get trapped by our own inflexibility... g

Apr 21, 2011 09:13 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Ann,

We know it's going to take considerable patience, insight and personalized service to do the kind of job we expect to deliver.  Thanks for the encouragement... g

Apr 21, 2011 09:14 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

This sounds like an exciting project, Gordon.  And kudos for you for taking the high road and sharing the wealth.

Apr 21, 2011 01:21 PM
Rich Cederberg
eXp Realty - Albuquerque, NM
eXp Realty Agent Albuquerque

Sorry I haven't visited your blog for awhile, I've been busy selling homes.

This is an inspiring post, I love to read about real estaters doing unconventional things. I enjoy reading your blog because I know that you "think" about your business.

I may stop by to say 'hi' this summer when I'm passing through. I hope you're not too busy helping people relocate to Colorado Springs.

Apr 22, 2011 03:53 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Jane,

Thanks... g

Apr 23, 2011 08:11 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Rich,

I'm very happy about your busy real estate business.  Hope you realize that if Cherise alone were to do it all, include blogging, well...  It goes without saying, there would be little activity on AR... g

PS - Hope you give us a ring if you're in Colorado Springs...

Apr 23, 2011 08:12 AM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Gordon,

I found this to be a very thought provoking post.  

1.  I joined the Army a couple years ago as my way of handling empty nest syndrome when my son took off to Notre Dame.   One of my biggest challenges has been not having control over my daily affairs or the people that work around me. (Due to my age, I had to come in enlisted.) Your post reminds me that we, as broker owners or independent contractors, really are not in total control. 

2.  On one hand, I felt bad that your company needs to share it business in order to keep peace in the community.  However, on the other hand, the willingness to share is likely to pay off 10 fold in the future because of the goodwill that you are creating.   The real estate business is unique in that we are competitors yet at the same time, in most transactions a buyers agent and a sellers agent must be able to work together as a team - within certain legal and ethical boundaries of course.   

3.  Sometimes a team approach is truly the most beneficial thing.  I'm in the process of opening up a small real estate office here in Colorado Springs that needs to be able to support me when I get out of the Army next year.  I'll be working as a "team" when I have to refer clients to another agent in another company because that is what will be in my clients best interest.  Should the Realtor that I bought my house from be unavailable, I'll certainly be giving you and/or your wife a call.  You've really impressed me with your professionalism.    

Apr 23, 2011 05:34 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Gordon,

Cooperation and lessening resistance is a great business model! All those hammers never make you look good..just ego building! I wish you and your family a happy and blessed Easter!

Apr 24, 2011 02:54 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Sondra,

Sounds like you're preparing an excellent exit strategy from the Army.  Thanks for being so transparent in your comment and we look forward to working with you in some type of capacity one day... g

Apr 26, 2011 03:17 AM
Cherise Selley
Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realtor

Dorie,

I hope your Easter was marvelous.  From all of your Easter egg blogs, I also hope all the kids did wonderfully... g

Apr 26, 2011 03:18 AM