Exactly.  I've never gained much, if anything, when I'm putting someone else down.  So, I try like the dickens to avoid the temptation even when it is SO tempting. 

Communication is so subtle, however, and it's easy to do, with inflection or body language.  Oh, how I pray that my actions would be above reproach, when possible.   

Just a couple of days ago, an associate in our office was putting me down for not volunteering to help with an office luncheon which we were having that day.  The person likes to get jabs in at me (a Republican vs Democrat thing, don't chu know), so when that person commented that I wasn't volunteering to help, I simply replied "I don't remember being asked".    These luncheons happen very frequently and their is little money in them for us, and frequently little learning ("this is a mouse, you click on the link here and it brings up a page which will allow you to make entries").  I was in the computer industry for 20+ years and I'm sorry, I'm just not going to go to a lot of high-tech meetings but I CERTAINLY am not putting someone else down when they choose to attend and get educated.  More power to them!  After all, we're independent business people and we do get to make choices about what is important in our businesses, right?   

Anyhow, I had three intensive meetings that day, two for which I serve as President and founder.  We had had 20 visitors come to our BNI Chapter kickoff meeting just two hours before, and quite frankly, I was mentally exhausted.   I ALWAYS like to be of assistance, 1) when the event is planned far enough in advance that I can put it on my schedule, and 2) when there is meaningful information being shared. 

The point is, putting others down, for any reason is NEVER a way to build up one's image.  It ALWAYS back fires.  Of course, if someone is saying, "Don't confuse me with the facts", and follows that up by thinking the person with the facts is somehow personally putting another down, that's a personal problem. 

Anyhow, I tend to agree with GARY WATERS statement.  "Real Estate, like politics, is not a collegial/friendly group of participants ... Why"?  Because we are all independent contractors and our ability to put food on the table is controlled by a straight commission.  We don't "receive a salary", we "earn a commission".  

I do tend to give out information much more freely in my office, where I will work closely with others for the long term.  However, when people ask me, "Now, how did you win that bid online for that REO property?  I wonder if you would train me on how to do that?", is there any wonder that I reserve that for those who are in my "inner circle" -- those who believe in "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", rather than "every man/woman for themselves").  

We're all independent business people, often competing in the same neighborhoods, sometimes for the same business.  It's our capitalist system at its finest -- so sometimes RE, like politics, can get a little ugly.  

Trust me, there is no love lost between our firm and the discount, flat fee brokers who would love to gain benefits from us, at our expense.   When they put that rider on their sign that states, "look how much commission we saved", it's like Qwest advertising a "FSBO Local" vendor on the outside cover of their phone book.  Our CEO made a decision to trash ALL of the Qwest yellow page books in ALL of our offices.  Can you blame him?   Yepper, business is war.   

Grant Howell, e-PRO *Frisco Area Realtor  - Well put.  If we want to enhance professionalism in our industry, we need to increase the desire of REALTORS to become true professionals.  True professionals study their trade for months, if not years, prior to being foisted on the unsuspecting public. 

I know a person in the industry who literally sweated day and night prior to taking her test, being afraid they would not pass it.  Me, I wanted to get a hundred!   I was bummed because I missed three questions.  The Real Estate Licensing exam needs to be made SIGNIFICANTLY more difficult, IF our industry is going to garner the respect of the public.

Consider Architects, Lawyers, Dentists, Doctors, RN's, etc. -- they all pay a heavy price for education to earn their credentials, then they take a horrendous board exam.   There certainly could be, at least, some differentiation in the level of licensure for Realtors.  

Of course, the CRS and GRI designations are helpful (I've taken all but one course for my GRI, as of this moment), but they not as well respected as they once were.  The CCIM designation is much more significant, and rightfully so.  

I'm not advocating hurdles which are insurmountable, but certainly a much more difficult licensing exam would go a long way toward improving the level of professionalism.