Hopefully, most of you have seen Bob Stewarts Post on "Surviving Your Serengeti" In case you haven't, Stefan Swanepoel has written a new book "Surviving Your Serengeti" which will be released on March 1. Stefan uses the characteristics of several species of animals as metaphors for the survival traits that are needed to prosper in the shifting sands of our current business environment. The first two chapters are available for downloading. There is also a quiz that you can take "what animal are you?" which can give you insight into your strengths and potential weaknesses. The quiz is short and worth the time.
I will confess that I took the quiz and the results didn't make that much sense to me. Looking back on the process, I have a feeling the dyslexic in me made more than one mistake. I tend to make mistakes on multiple choice test when filling in my choices and I took it when my energy was at a low ebb and I was distracted. Since the system wouldn't let me back in - I decided to address the quiz in another way. By using each animal as a metaphor for understanding my strengths and weaknesses.
The Strategic Lion
One thing is certain - I don't just wing it. Although there are times when you just have to plunge in - that is relatively rare for me. For example, I was having difficulty promoting myself for listings. Instead of running around just trying to find a way "in" I have taken a step back - calculated the costs and am now implementing a plan of action. I plan first - then act and am good at the coordinated attack where several outcomes are possible.
Unlike that lion, I have not been that collaborative - at least not in the real estate industry and at least up to now. Although collaborative efforts are very much a part of my past in my former field. The problem here is that I have been burned by being too collaborative and need to create a balance between my fear of being on the short end and the advantages of a symbiotic collaboration.
The Enterprising Corcodile:
This is what the quiz said I was.
Like the crocodile - I do think outside the box and I definitely have a clear mission. Although determined to succeed - that determination is tempered by recognizing the realities of the times. I am not a "rah, rah" type that is eternally optimistic. Though that seems to be the order of the day for most crocs. In fact this is what leads me to believe that I made an error in taking the quiz.
Like the crocodile, I possess the ability to work alone - however I think some of that is more the product of my training as a Ph.D. than an inherent trait. Doctoral candidates are competitive and you had better have the capacity to work on your own and figure things out for themselves. That aspect of my former field was not something that came naturally. I had a very hard time with it but learned in time that no one was going to help me but me
The Enduring Wildebeest:
Tenacity is something I have in abundance. When I was little I had a learning disability that was not identified during my school years. When you have an unidentified LD as well as a desire to become a biomedical scientist - tenacity and endurance are essential. It took longer than I would have liked and I got my doctorate - only to discover that there were no jobs that paid a living wage.
There are times when I need to know - not just how to hold them - but when to fold them. Endurance without any insight as to what is on the other side of the tunnel is foolhardy.
The wildebeest teaches us to endure - but we need to know what the possible outcomes are and prepare for them. I tend to go too far for too long hoping for a better outcome.
The Risk-Taking Mongoose:
Although I would not describe myself as much of a mongoose in the area of readily accepting risk with no reward. This may be mindset that result from some tough life lessons rather than an ingrained trait. I have a history of taking the road less traveled - but this trait has brought me more pain than success and limits my willingness to take risks - particularly financial risks.
On the other hand, my real estate coach has said that I don't just work outside the box - but have kicked the box to the curb with respect to how I conduct my business. So I tend to head towards uncharted waters - while at the same time being risk averse. I try to limit those waters to expenditures in time and not money. However, my unwillingness to invest with no guarantee of reward has held me back in tough times.
The Communicating Elephant:
One of my strong points is the ability absorb and retain information about my clients. I seldom forget a detail about their needs and wants. Its funny, my clients sometimes don't realize that I file away their responses and reactions until I hit the nail on the head about what their focal issues, needs and conflicts. Most of my clients seem really surprised at the details that I do remember about them.
And that's perhaps where I need the most work. Perhaps my body language presents a remoteness as I take in their reactions and thoughts. I have a feeling I concentrate too hard on how to fulfill their wishes than responding in the moment. This is an area where I can really improve dramatically.
On the positive side, from the internet to the closing table I try to create a consistency that extends from my initial message to a satisfying conclusion for all parties. I don't over promise and under deliver.
The Efficient Cheetah
I am least like the Cheetah - although I am good at prioratizing - I sometimes can get overwhelmed by a large looming task.
Where I could learn from the Cheetah - I tend not to recognize certain activities as a waste of time and effort until too much energy and expense has been wasted. I need to get in front of expensive time and money soakers. This is in direct conflict with my comments on the risk-taking mongoose. But actually - in this case I tend to continue with things that worked in the past but are no longer working NOW. Since they worked before, I don't want to jettison that security blanket - and that can be costly.
There is also a need to know when to set limits and call it a day. I don't have that and can then suffer from burn-out. When that happens, I tend to get sick. I have always been like this and pacing myself is something I have to work on for the future. I have been learning to heed the signs and step back when needed, but it does not come easily.
Graceful Giraffe
The way in which I do resemble the Giraffe is by living up to a set of personal standards that goes above and beyond the usual. The downside is that I can sound "preachy." This is particularly true in the way I choose to market myself. I won't do what I don't want done to me. That eliminates cold-calling, becoming a pest by snail mail, email or any other medium you can imaging. It absolutely eliminates door knocking. I know that this is sometimes not in my best interests. But its a service industry - and who am I serving ? Myself or the client?
So there you have it - I aired perhaps more than I would generally like to admit in public, but this exercise has allowed me to pinpoint my strong points and given me areas to work on for the future..
I linked this blog to the AR page on Facebook and on the Suriviving your Serengeti fan page...
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