Can We Talk?

I know I sound like Joan Rivers, but seriously, can we talk?  Like the majority of us, I love technology. It makes us more efficient and enables us to document what is happening with a client or transaction. There's no question that both email and voice mail have made our lives easier.  But they have also allowed us to "hide". 

Have you ever placed a call at a timewhen you thought you would get the person's voice mail?  Or sent an email so you wouldn't have to hear the other person's reaction?  I know I have!  Did I feel guilty?  More relieved than guilty.  But I knew I was hiding behind the voice mail.  Over the years, however I have come to the conclusion that there are some issues that really need to be discussed voice-to-voice.  And when these issues come up I need to step up and make the call.  For these situations I like to use a land line because I do not want to run the risk of the call being dropped.

So I take a deep breath and make the call.  I have had agents scream in my ear, as though what I am telling them is my fault.  It's like they don't realize that I'm just the middle man delivering the not-so pleasant news.  I let them vent...and vent...and vent because I can understand their frustration.  But when the venting has subsided I discuss what solutions I have come up with and ask how they think we can best resolve the issue and present them to our respective clients.  Because in the end it really doesn't matter who did what.  What matters is how we can work together to keep the process moving forward.

As real estate professionals working together in a transaction we both want the same end result...satisfied clients.  It is important for us to be able to communicate with each other without letting our emotions get the better of us.  After all, it's not about us, it's about our buyers and sellers. Together we should be able to come up with some workable solutions.  And if we can't, at least we both know that we gave it our professional best.

So the next time you are in a difficult spot, take a deep breath and pick up the phone.  You will be a better agent for it!