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5 Dangers of Secret Agendas

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lake Homes Realty

 

Who in real estate has not suffered at the hands of someone else's secret agenda? That realization that not just that someone lied, but the deception had a specific, hidden goal.

Now, we all have a personal agenda, even in our work. That's normal. Interestingly, for most of us a majority of that agenda is hidden. It is hidden in fear and kept secret, believing that if we share it then others will use it against us. “If I tell them my plan, they might stop me.”

What many fail to realize is that the secret agendas are not really that secret. And these hidden agendas create their own dangers. Here are five of these dangers:

1. Your behavior will betray you.

business man thinkingWe've all seen deceptive listings, strange pricing, and even lies about property. Too many forget that while they may not share their hidden agenda with words, actions and attitude will reveal it. Maybe not all at once, but over time actions show true intentions.

Logically we all know that when our words do not match our actions, we lose credibility. Yet so many fall in the trap of believing others are not watching and listening. They are doing just that, even if they don’t ever tell you.

2. Your commitments will suffer.

Commitments are often made publicly due to social pressure or professional responsibility but they may be contrary to our secret agendas. It is hard to stick to commitments we don’t believe in.

3. You will waste a lot of time.

Secret agendas along with public commitments can mean having to essentially work on two plans at one time. That takes more effort, much of it wasted, redundant, and inefficient.

4. Others will lose trust in you.

As your actions betray that you have a different agenda than you say, others will notice and find it harder and harder to have confidence that they can count on your word.

5. You’ll lose trust in others.

As others lose trust in you, you’ll notice. It may even hurt your feelings as if you feel let down or betrayed that you are treated differently. It will be hard to notice that you started the cycle (or at least feed the cycle) of mistrust.

I’m not suggesting all of your plans should be shouted from the rooftops and plastered all over social media. Keeping your game plan for life and work private can be important (or at least prudent). You may follow a private plan individually, with your clients, your work team, or your family. It is when personal secret agendas fail to match stated plans where problems develop that work against you.

Thoughtful plans are considered a great step toward success. However, secret agendas create inconsistencies in our relationships that hold us back and create unwinnable situations.

Develop plans that you believe in, find ways to believe in yourself, and you’ll find there is a power in transparency that makes success easier, not harder.

 

Posted by

Glenn S. Phillips is the CEO of Lake Homes Realty, the multi-state, full-service, lake-focused real estate brokerage powered by LakeHomes.com.

 Lake Homes Realty - LakeHomes.com

 

 

Comments (3)

Kathy Sheehan
Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA
Senior Loan Officer

You are a very wise man.  This can be the most destructive behavior.

Feb 12, 2012 01:59 AM
Dan Hopper
Dan Hopper - Gold Way RE - Westminster, CO
Colorado Broker / Referral Services

Interesting thought process, Glenn.  You have hit on some valid points about the hidden agendas.  Very thoughtful insight to this type of behavior.  Thanks!

Feb 12, 2012 02:28 AM
Glenn S. Phillips
Lake Homes Realty - Birmingham, AL
CEO, Lake Homes Realty / LakeHomes.com

Hi Kathy! You are very kind, thank you. G

Hi Dan! Thank you! G

Feb 14, 2012 08:15 AM