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Who likes to give speeches in front of an audiance?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Catamount Realty Group

 

Last year I decided to try something different and signed up for the Evelyn Biddle Leadership Program offered by the Northern Vermont Board of Realtors. This course is designed to introduce Realtors to positions within the board for future leadership positions. Since I love to learn, I thought this would be a great opportunity for something different. The class was five months long and introduced us to many scenarios that took us outside of our comfort zone. We learned how to communicate better with our clients as well as other Realtors.

Each class we were challenged to go beyond our natural abilities to strive for something better. The ropes and obstacles course was one of my favorite events!

Speaking in front of a class was a real challenge for me since I tend to get nervous in front of an audience. Place me in front of a few people, on the other hand, I will never shut up!

As part of the program, I community project was adopted by the class. This year we decided to do a community food drive giving to several local shelters.

I was chosen by the class to give a speech at the annual meeting. Below was my speech. What do you think?

 

Evelyn Biddle Leadership Development Program

 

Ok, here is goes.

Good Morning! Last night I spoke with members of my class. The purpose of the discussion was to get their input on the class and what they thought was the most important thing they took from it. I also asked them to bring a camera just in case I messed up, This way I could at least put it on America's Funniest Videos!

Vermont is a fantasic place to run a business... I could speak all day about that... but anyways;

As part of this leadership program, we, as Realtors, organized a series of class exercises designed to develop leadership and management skills.

My personal management style as a leader is more communal based. My conviction is teamwork. There is nothing I've asked of someone else, I would not do myself!

I believe in order to serve our community of Realtors and clients, I must be the server! I am the server of the people, open and eager, to meet their needs.

Being a leader is not to focus on yourself, but to focus on others. Learning about people and developing insight on social relationships, makes a clear path leading to my one ultimate goal, providing what they want and need!

Whether it is looking to buy or sell a home for themselves or their children or as an investment, I strive to figure out together as a team, how to accomplish this!

Learning everything I can about the real estate industry is NOT my passion! Let me repeat myself... learning everything I can about the real estate industry is NOT my passion! My passion is to help fulfill the need of clients!

I take classes, watch how other Realtors and companies communicate. Secretly, you are my mentors, so I can learn from you.

The simplest terms;

 Hard work

Honesty

Integrity

and Humbleness; makes me the leader I want to be! This is why I took these classes! I think that is why we all took these classes!

Comments (4)

John Jonas
ReplaceMyself - Virtual Assistants - Highland, UT
John Jonas

Great speech Mark. You shouldn't have worried about speaking in front. It has all elements, repetition, a bit of humor, and honesty. I liked that it talked about being a leader, that was what my last post was about. Also, I love that you have some community work. There's a special kind of joy that you get from it.

Good luck on everything you're working on and I hope more people take on community projects like you do!

Feb 19, 2014 03:40 PM
Anonymous
Mark Montross
Hi John, Thank you very much! I did practice in front of the mirror for a while, however it is different when you get up in front of the audience. I am going to speaking to a group at Norwich college next week so that should be interesting.
Feb 23, 2014 11:43 PM
#2
Pat McCormick
Long and Foster Manassas - Manassas, VA

Mark - Great speech.  You hit the nail on the head -- we learn everything we can so we can serve our clients better.

Feb 25, 2014 12:07 AM
Mark Montross
Catamount Realty Group - Burlington, VT
Listing and Buyer Specialist

Hi Pat,

Thank you very much! That is always my goal when it comes to doing things. I have been up to midnight signing contracts to make sure my buyers get the home they want.

Feb 25, 2014 01:52 AM