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TOO MUCH CONTROL CAN BE DETRIMENTAL

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Education & Training with Performance Development Strategies

A good manager broker has proper controls in place.  But if you have too much control it could be counter productive. With regard to your own clients and your individual business you need to be in control to see that nothing gets derailed. I have found that some owners here in Westchester County NY struggle with the balance of having adequate business controls and controlling to the point of smothering.Controlling Manager

A business is started by an owner with a vision. Perhaps it is someone who has worked as an agent and wants to take the big step of becoming a broker owner. Or it really could be any other business as well because these principles are universal.  He or she has all of the requisite skills and works hard IN the new business

He or she has to attend to every detail and if he or she forgets one thing it could be a disaster. The business owner spends most of his or her time working IN the business and virtually no time working ON the business.

Why is this problematic? When the owner starts the business he or she needs to do everything or it does not get done. Sometimes there are time management issues. Usually the owner gets so busy that he or she hires someone else.  

If the owner welcomes a new associate or hires a member but continues to try to do everything without letting go and delegating he or she is defeating the whole purpose of building an organization. For example, the new associate may ask a question or offer take on a project. “Don't worry“, says the owner, “I'll take care of that. It's really involved. It's easier if I do it.”  Then there comes a time when the owner says, "This whole organization is not working out."  Here is why.

The owner is still working IN the business. He or she believes that everyone else knows what needs to be done and what is expected. Besides the owner is still too busy working on the minutia of the business details.   The owner must learn to let go, train, and delegate with confidence.

If you are that business owner here is how to fix it. Engage everyone from associate to employee from the very first day. Explain, train, encourage, and ask for input. Once you are certain that the people understand encourage them to make their own decisions based on their own knowledge and judgment. Encourage the input. Then monitor. But gradually let go. Learn to look at key measurements that indicate things are on track such as number of calls answered, complaints resolved, orders processed, customer feedback and other key areas related to business outcomes. Don’t watch over every detail.

Instead of watching the details and the minutia keep your eye on the direction of your company and your overall results. Set up overarching monitors and measurements to check the direction and success of your business. This measurement is your dashboard. Keep your eye on the dashboard instead of every little detail. Your dashboard helps you make sure that your people are performing the activities related to positive business outcomes. When you see a key business measurement change you can ask others in your organization why and what needs to be done. You have control BUT you are not controlling. You have more important things to do such as promoting the growth of your business.

 

Great Leadership

Get out of the way. Get out of the details. Let go, let them drive and watch your stress level decrease and your business grow. Read a similar posting on our website titled ARE YOU A CONTROL FREAK?

 

Can we help you build your leadership to create successful outcomes?

 

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Port Saint Lucie, FL

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Grant Schneider,
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Comments (48)

Maria Gilda Racelis
Home Buyers Realty, LLC-Manchester, Bolton. Vernon,Ellington - Manchester, CT
Home Ownership is w/in Reach. We Make it Happen!

Hi Grant: It was for this reason that I decided to become my own broker after two years of getting my license. I could not deal with overpowering control.

 

Jan 19, 2015 09:06 PM
Jeffrey Ditri
JAD Realty Group, LLC. - Manhattan, NY
New York City Residential Rental Specialist

Thank you Grant! Having complete control of your own business is hard enough, aside from managaing others can be a very daunting task.

Jan 19, 2015 10:17 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

A place where the employees really care versus an environment of rigidity says quite a bit. Rules guide......... but the heart keeps score

Jan 19, 2015 10:28 PM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

Good Morning Grant. I look forward to the day that I can hire a transaction coordinator to hand off some of my daily tasks. Delegating and relinquishing control is not a problem for me. 

Jan 19, 2015 10:38 PM
Richard Robibero, e-Pro, ABR, SRS
Panorama R.E. Limited - Toronto, ON
Selling Your Home as if it were My Own!

I had a micro-manager at one point in my career and it did way more harm than good as she didnt realize that the team was made up of talented individuals that were able to grow the business without the constant oversight.

Jan 19, 2015 11:18 PM
Kevin Mackessy
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

A great leader doesn't have to micro manage everyone beneath him, and instead should be confident that his/her employees can be productive on their own. 

Jan 20, 2015 02:05 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Debbie - yes I am looking forward to it.

Nina - I find that everywhere too.

Scott - so you can probably say that letting go has helped you grow.

Maria - congratulations, I am glad to hear that you took your control.

Jeffrey - with people have control is about getting it done through people.

Richie - you really have a great way of expressing it.

Nicole - that is great news for you.

Richard - the teams worries about the boss rather than the mission.

Kevin - yes delegate with confidence.

Jan 20, 2015 02:34 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Many agents choose this career for the freedom.  A micro-manager is what they are wanting to lose!  Keeps too many strings doesn't allow people to make their own plans and develop their own strategies.  Empowering them and guiding them is the way to go.  Great post!

Jan 20, 2015 06:59 AM
Thomas F. Scanlon
Borgida & Company P. C., CPA's - Manchester, CT
CPA, CFP

Well done! I am a recovering control freak. One day at a time.

Cheers!

Jan 20, 2015 10:06 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

I was the victim of someone who could not work on the business.. It is important to be a true leader...and then the business will grow.

Jan 20, 2015 10:42 AM
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Grant Schneider well, I am a control freak - and am learning the 'Art of Delegation!' (Is there any such book around?)

Jan 20, 2015 11:26 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Karen - absolutely.  Don't ignore and don't micro manage.

Thomas - don't worry.  It will get better.

Joan - sorry to hear.  I hope that is in the past.

Praful - Off hand I can't think of one.  Best way is to set up your standards and have accountablility points for results rather than details.

Jan 20, 2015 09:18 PM
Jerry Lucas
ABC Legal Docs LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Notary Training, Consulting. Colorado Springs, CO

Managers should provide oversight and direction and help make it easier for staff to do their jobs.  Leaders should have followers.  Some managers do not have the right personality or management skills.

Jan 21, 2015 04:21 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Jerry - many times it is more the management skills because they have not been taught how get results with people rather than doing it themselves.

Jan 21, 2015 11:41 AM
Signature Properties of Vermont
Essex Junction, VT
Showing you the way home

Well said, Jerry. We have all known a 'micro-manager' at one time or another, I'm sure. Empower your employees by showing them the trust to make informed decisions and watch your business prosper as confidence grows.

Jan 23, 2015 10:56 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

That is correct.  You have to empower to grow.

Jan 24, 2015 01:49 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Grant I loved your post, and I never functioned well under Micro Managers. I preferred working for/with some one who gave me the assignment and periodically did some checks and balances and let me run and achieve the goal....

Jan 25, 2015 07:02 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Endre - that is what I call letting go to grow.

Jan 25, 2015 10:37 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good advice for business owners to ponder.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Jan 30, 2015 03:57 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Roy - thanks.  I hope that it helps.

Jan 30, 2015 06:06 AM