The headline which read The Responsibility of Being Good on the front page of The Diamondback this morning is referring to an article about Marissa Coleman, the 6'1" half of the senior duo of Marissa and Kristi Toliver on the University of Maryland's ACC Championship women's basketball team.  This article addresses the "extra" effort it requires to become (and stay) good - something she learned from her father.

That headline triggered for me a flashback to last week when I received a note from an Active-Rainer in my office at Long and Foster, Uma Bruegman.  She was thanking me for mentioning her in a recent blog post, Real Estate Activity is Picking Up in Crofton, Maryland.

She may have been touched by my mention, but I was touched by her note, as well.  I came home and said to my husband that it was a good reminder to me of the "responsibility of being good" - coincidentally the title of that headline article today.

As an "old pro" in this business, some newer agents who may have seen my ads and signs since they were in elementary or high school probably look to me as a role model, as I did toward the "old pros" who inspired me 35 years ago.  (Legacy of an "old pro" - Passing It On to a Another Generation of Real Estate Rookies)  With that in mind, I sat down and started a list of my responsibilities as a role model...

1. Always greet the other agents with a smile, even those I don't know.
2. Take the time to engage other agents in conversation about THEM (i.e., don't walk around with my head in a cloud, focused only on my own business).
   
3. Dress professionally in the office.
   
4. Congratulate other agents when they get listings or sales, or they hit a business or personal milestone.
5. Send hand-written "welcome" notes when new agents join the office.
   
6. DO NOT VENT to other agents - they think you can handle anything.
7. Be a team player - take floor time, attend office meetings, go on tour to view office listings, participate in office social events... 
   
8. Do not ever speak negatively of another agent or the administrative staff.
9. Support marketing efforts of other agents by attending their agent open houses.
10. Work IN the office more, instead of at home, so newer or struggling agents can see the work ethic that goes into being "good"
    

I'm no Marissa Coleman, and I'm not even the top-producing agent I once was (by choice, since retirement is right around the corner), but that "responsibility of being good" is real.

Thank you, Uma, for reminding me of this through your lovely note!

P.S.  I welcome your suggestions to add to this list.

Margaret Woda is a licensed Associate Broker in the Washington, D.C. - Baltimore - Annapolis area.  She specializes in Anne Arundel, Howard and Prince George's Counties, Maryland, including Fort Meade, Andrews AFB, and the U.S. Naval Academy.  If you enjoyed reading this post, check out Focus On Crofton and Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County.