ActiveRain Community Guidelines
The Old Saying Goes...
Common Sense Is Not So Common!
First of all, I want to thank Lynn B. Friedman for providing the platform for the 2017 JUMPSTART Challenge - Enhance Your Personal Best . This post is my view on our Community Guidelines.
Many of us are re-visiting the Community Guidelines as we do every year. The common theme through-out the guidelines is "Respect". I will visit "Respect" later.
Common Sense
The first thing that popped into my mind when I re-read the guidelines was, all of this is nothing more than using a little common sense. Some explanation may be needed to explain what could happen if you don't follow the guidelines. But even then, common sense should prevail.
For example, "You must not violate any Fair Housing Laws." Shouldn't all agents know this implicitly? Isn't this common sense?
I decided to also re-visit the definition of common sense. Webster's New College Dictionary defines common sense as:
"The ability to make sound judgments"
Well, that certainly does not sound hard to do, does it? As you read further through the guidelines this following line addresses my previous question.
"Please take these rules seriously. Don't try to look for loopholes; instead, take them to heart and respect the spirit in which they were created. We administrate this community using logic and common sense, and we will give greatest regard to the intention of the rule."
Loopholes
A day does not go by that you can't point to someone who is trying to find a loophole rather than following the spirit and intent of a rule or regulation. Some people justify why the rule does not apply or does not fit a particular situation so that they don't have to follow it.
In the end, those of us who use common sense have to put up with warnings and disclaimers on just about every product.
One of my favorite sayings on a virtual gravestone is:
"HERE LIES COMMON SENSE -
Beloved Husband & Father of Discretion, Responsibility, & Reason -
Rest In Peace" - (unknown)
Respect
There are many definitions for the word "respect". In my opinion and what I find in the context of the Community Guidelines, the definition encompasses this: "agree to recognize and abide by" or in other words, a code of behavior. The word is much bigger than that definition. I live my life by the tenets of the Golden Rule - treat others as you wish to be treated and respect plays a big part of that. You have my respect... until you don't!
One More Point
As real estate professionals, we need to be cognizant that every action we take including how we communicate with others and especially in this community, is scrutinized by consumers who use our services.
Our actions and reputation in the real estate industry are always under the microscope and I choose to conduct my business as if a client was sitting on my shoulder all day long watching and listening to my every move. - Sheri Sperry
