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Agents That Don't Like People

Spending years training new and soon to be agents one thing that drives me crazy, still, is when someone gets into this business to make money. When that's the single driving factor, they almost never do. Last week one of my college students (new licensee) had the gall to tell me, "I don't really like people."! I said, "Buddy, you are in the wrong business and the wrong classroom...see ya!"

Don't get me wrong, money is a terrific motivator, but if you don't like people, stay home. Who do these agents think they'll be selling homes to, pet monkeys? The bottomline is this, you better be past the I-can-tolerate-them level when it comes to your people skills. And, just to back that up, it NEVER fails that when I interview a top producer for my website, books or just to gather more research, that they tell me how much they ENJOY PEOPLE and LOVE TO SERVE. I'm not talking about penny-pinching producers either, in fact, I just interviewed Brent Gove not too long ago and this guy makes more money than Bill Gates (not really, but got your attention, right?) and the major theme of the interview was how darn much this guy loves people.

Hmmmm....think there's any correlation in an agent who likes people and the fact that maybe, just maybe, people (read: prospects and clients) can tell?! Wow...what a cool concept: if you like people they know it and give you their business and you become a top producer.

Posted by Tamara "The Real Estate Therapist" Dorris on 05/14/2008 11:53 AM

Comments (4)

selling skills, agent training, communication, customer service

4 Comments on Agents That Don't Like People

Hi Tamara,

Great post, I can't imagine anyone being successful in this business with that kind of attitude. Have a great week. Michael A. Caruso

05/14/2008 11:57 AM

by Michael Caruso Real Estate Group

I grew up in this business. I am one of those who is more introverted that extroverted. It isn't that I don't like people, but I do find it difficult to "socialize."

05/14/2008 12:11 PM

by Heath Coker, Broker Owner (Cape Group Real Estate & REindex.com)

Simply waking each day is not enough to maintain a positive outlook. It seems one must awaken each day and remind themselves why they will be successful today. Those who are most successful in sales know that you are often not selling a home or a product. In fact, you are selling yourself! I simply turn this behavior upon myself by telling myself I am good at what I do, I am trained well and have maintained current knowledge of my profession. Further, that I have assisted thousands of people to a calmer understanding of their home loans and that THAT is a worthy accomplishment. Trying to do any of this, while disliking people seems a bit like career suicide. Having come up through the ranks in the restaurant business and having been a middle manager for 25 years in a "hospitality" environment, I can tell you that true success is all about liking people!

Great post Tamara!

"A Quick Note"

www.aquicknote.net

05/14/2008 12:24 PM

by Shannon Ziccardi ("A Quick Note")

Hi Shannon (and Mike and Heath),

Yep, I agree, liking people is just the icing on the cake. I've written something like six books, starting back in 2000 and they all talk about mind-set and attitude; such critical factors for sure.

Thanks for responding everyone. Just getting into this blogging and look forward to finding good people to connect with.

Take care!

05/19/2008 04:02 PM

by Tamara "The Real Estate Therapist" Dorris (Top Producing Techniques)

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