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Your Reputation is Only as Good as The WORST Thing You’ve Ever Done

By
Real Estate Agent with The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore

Your Reputation is Only as Good as The WORST Thing You’ve Ever Done


    Yes, let me repeat that...Your reputation is only as good as the WORST thing you’ve ever done.  This is true in all aspects of life.  In the real estate business, your reputation is everything.  It provides you a platform for maintaining and growing your business.  It is what separates you from everyone else and allows you to shine above the crowd.  thumbs up
    It takes years to develop your reputation.  Hours and hours of putting yourself out there and letting the world see how you can add value to their real estate experience.  You have zero control over what people may say about you, so it is of the utmost importance that you do everything possible to insure that everyone who who comes into your world, views you in a very positive light. We are also viewed by the quality of service provided by the people we refer our clients to.  In reality, it is generally only the referrals who don’t provide superior service that we are remembered by.
    We have all made mistakes and of course we learn from them, but it is how we respond to those mistakes that leaves the most important impression.  If we make a mistake and don’t deal with it head on, it will be the thing that we are remembered for.  
     At this moment, the headlines are filled with stories about two very significant situations that relate to some very horrible things that may or may not have been done by public figures.  The people involved had spent their careers building a strong reputation of achievement and success.  Some of the reputations that are being soiled are of people who were not directly involved in the accused acts.  They are being judged for their inaction in reporting the deeds committed by others.  Although no one has admitted or been convicted of doing anything wrong, it is likely that all of the individuals involved will be remembered for the worst elements of the current claims. 


    Do the right thing and your reputation will take care of itself.
   

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Susan and Howard Meyers

The Hudson Company

851 Spruce Street

Winnetka, Illinois  60093

847.778.1394

howard@susanandhoward.com

 

Comments(110)

Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

How simple that statement is: Do the right thing. And you are right, the reward will follow.

Nov 11, 2011 04:50 AM
Robert Bryer
Apex Results Realty Inc. - Burlington, ON

Yes, excellent. Your clarification in #93 put it perfectly. Criminality vis a vis ethics and competence. It would have to be something brutally incompetent or unethical (although I've been shocked at times) for me to report anything. I don't even complain when I'm owed money. I've learned to just move on, make another deal with nice people. :)

Criminality on the other hand I have acted on. Unfortunately I was ignored by other parents and organizers however I was able to and did remove my daughter from the potential danger. Eventually what I suspected was the agenda of this individual did ring true. When it did it wasn't a "feel good" time either. These are very difficult situations sometimes. Anyway, enough let the healing begin.

Nov 11, 2011 04:54 AM
Anonymous
alan grizzle

So true however when sombody we do not know says something about somebody else we do not know we are in no position to judge without any evidence. Some people will say anything just to cause a fuss.

Nov 11, 2011 05:03 AM
#95
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

Brad...Your dad was a smart fellow.

Lian...Sometimes "simple" is the hardest path to follow.

Robert...Doing the right thing can be the most difficult thing to do.  I don't want to take on a "holier than thou" attitude because I have made as many mistakes as anyone (probably more).  I only hope that when I do make a mistake, my intentions were honest and I dealt with it in a straightforward manner.

Alan...Yes, that does happen.  Unfortunately there is often not much we can do about it.

Nov 11, 2011 05:45 AM
Anonymous
Kay Bailey

As my Daddy would say, "It only takes 1 "you have got to be kidding me" to wipe out a dozen "atta girls!" '

Nov 11, 2011 08:43 AM
#97
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

Kay...You're another one with a smart daddy.  We hope our kids remember some of the quotes we have delivered to them.  We also hope they forget some others.

Nov 11, 2011 09:08 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Howard and Susan,  You are absolutely right!  1 unhappy customer tells 10 other potential customers.  If you are lucky 1 happy tells 1 potential.

Nov 11, 2011 11:07 AM
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

Bob...It's a crazy ratio, but it's the one we have to live with. 

Nov 11, 2011 11:13 AM
John Fauth
Coldwell Banker King Thompson - Grove City, OH
Turning your dreams into an address!

All to true! and If we don't stay out there we are also quickly forgotten.

Nov 12, 2011 04:12 AM
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

John...We guess that corresponds to the comments some have made which is "you're only as good as your last (or next) transaction.

Nov 12, 2011 06:58 AM
Demarco & Marisa
Remax Kings Realty - Riverside, CA
"The Choice is Clear!"

I am adamant about doing what's right because it's right and by doing such I usually protect my reputation. But sometimes you have those people that want you to do things their way and if you won't, you quickly become the bad guy. Case in point, just lost a transaction a day before closing due to no fault of my own. We were ready to fund by month end and up popped $4,000 in liens missed by escrow and the listing agent. No biggie you think, they'll take care of it. But because it took over a week to clear up the issue, the buyer was pissed at me for not giving her the key to the property anyway. I asked Seller for permission, but was not given the green light. So buyer pulled out and I'm the bad guy. And she's got a big mouth. My rep is definitely going to take a hit, but I still stand by my decision. Sometimes, we just can't win so we just keep it moving.

Nov 13, 2011 04:02 PM
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

Demarco and Marissa...Bummer.  Sometimes you do the right thing and it still pisses someone off.  It's a lot easier to defend your reputation when you did the right thing. 

Nov 13, 2011 11:55 PM
Nathan Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Davenport, FL
Your Central Florida Real Estate Expert

I really love this post. When I was in the Marine Corps I was in charge of training young Marines. I spent half of my time making them understand that a character of a man is best judged by what he does when no one is looking and he know he won't get caught. They usually got it. :)

Nov 14, 2011 12:14 PM
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

Nate...Thanks so much.  To get most of those recruits to get the message, you must have been one hell of a trainer.

Nov 14, 2011 02:17 PM
Dawn A Fabiszak
Private Label Realty ( Denver metro area, Colorado - Aurora, CO
The Dawn of a New Real Estate Experience!

Howard and Susan ~ great post and I completely agree!  Loved the comments you received as well.

Nov 17, 2011 02:56 PM
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

Thanks Dawn.  We also loved the comments.

Nov 18, 2011 07:59 AM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta
It's true, how you handle yourself during the hard times is a huge indicator on your personality and can create or breat trust.
Jan 19, 2012 12:24 AM
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

Sylvie...We couldn't agree more.

Jan 19, 2012 11:32 AM
Matt Robinson
Professional Investors Guild - Pensacola, FL
www.professionalinvestorsguild.com

A very sobering blog post title indeed.  You can be a very ethical, moral person...and in an instant totally blow it and ruin your reputation with the community, your wife, your children, your church...etc.  So important to stay humble, and guard your reputation closely.  Great post!

May 01, 2012 09:42 AM
Howard and Susan Meyers
The Hudson Company Winnetka and North Shore - Winnetka, IL

Thanks Matt.

 

May 02, 2012 10:31 PM