I ran across this and felt like I should share the thoughts of Robin Crow, speaker and author of the book, Rock Solid Leadership. This totally resonates with me, as owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty I completely share these ideas on leadership. My Real Estate Co. is small but mighty, efficient and FUN to work at. There are only nine team members including myself. We have averaged selling over 200 homes a year for 10 straight years. Before I had a team, I was the stand along independent Realtor. Even then I sold 60 homes a year with no help, so of course I was working 24/7 for 20 years. Then I met my mentor and Real Estate coach Mike Ferry, and began to develop my team. It was the best decision of my life, because now I have a life, and give better service to my clients. However with having others you are responsible for (there is that word again), there comes a whole other set of difficulties, problems, personalities, etc. to deal with. You have to adjust the way you think and act and learn to become a leader as well as a salesperson. This is not an easy task for someone who never had to worry about being responsible for others, their actions, income, keeping peace, motivating and all the many other things involved when it's only YOU. One of the first things you must do as a leader, is lead by example. Be the hardest worker in your business, the first to arrive, and the last to leave. Learn to praise in public and how to criticize in private without hurt feelings. To add to that my Real Estate Company, team has evolved into having 75% of the team being family members. Believe me that comes with its own set of challenges. However after 32 years of being in this crazy world of Real Estate sales, I would'nt have it any other way. The benefits of working with a team and your family far outweigh the challenges.
Allow me introduce my wonderful family/team to you.
My sister Sandra Parker, buyers agent (back row far right), her daughter my niece Nina Murray, closing manager (second row on left), Ninas sister my niece Denise Acord, assist. closing manager (front row far right on bench), Nina's daughter my great niece Sandie Acord (3rd generation & my prodage', beside me middle of bench), me Liz Carter (bench far left), my husband Bill Gronvold, Realtor (back row, middle...only man so guess he's easy to spot :). Non family team members, Monday Miller, listing manager (back row far left), Chelsea Brewster, client care coordinator (back row 2nd from left), Jean Amedeo, buyers agent (back row 2nd from right)
I am truly blessed to have this wonderful group to work with, I can't imagine life without my family on my team!
Enjoy,
Responsibility
(an excerpt from Rock Solid Leadership)
Bear Bryant, the legendary Alabama football coach, was once asked what was the key to his coaching success. He thought for a second and said, "When we win I give them (the players) all the credit and when we lose I take all the blame." He smiled and walked away. When things go wrong, great leaders take full responsibility for the results. No excuses. Harry Truman made this clear when he uttered his famous four words..."The buck stops here!"
In one of Ronald Reagan's cabinet meetings, General Colin Powell presented an idea he was passionate about. This discussion went on for about an hour with Reagan asking tough questions because he felt the proposal had flaws. In the end, however, he said, "Colin, it's your call. If you think it will work, we'll go for it."
A few months later, however, Reagan was grilled at a news conference because the plan had failed miserably. One of the reporters asked the question, "Whose idea was this; yours or someone else's?" Reagan didn't hesitate. He said, "I take full responsibility." He then glanced at Powell sitting in the front row and saw tears welling in his eyes.
After the news conference, Powell walked over to a friend and said, "I'd do anything for that man."
Let's take a second and look at how taking responsibility applies to my business, Dark Horse Recording.
- When people under my employ don't come across warm and hospitable on the phone, whose responsibility is it?
- If my electric bill skyrockets because one of my employees left all thirteen central air systems on over the Christmas holidays, whose responsibility is it?
- If one of my biggest clients starts recording elsewhere...because we weren't up on our game...perhaps a grounding problem...or some of the equipment wasn't working to 100% satisfaction...whose responsibility is it?
- If my bills don't get paid...If my invoices don't get collected...If lightning strikes and wipes out Bill's computer files in the front office because they weren't backed up...whose responsibility is it?
IT'S MINE.
I guess you can see where I'm going with this. Bottom line, these things are all MY RESPONSIBILITY.
Remember, failure to hit the bull's eye is never the fault of the target. That's why successful leaders focus on responsibility over blame. Many people want to wear the cloak of leadership, but remember, with it comes the burden of responsibility.
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