After reading an article in an AZ business magazine that identified the 10 Top Skills for Real Estate Agents, I was reminded of this famous line from Shakespeare's Hamlet:
To Be or Not to Be: That is the Question
For me, I believe this article failed to mention and list the most important skill or trait and that is positive core values, ethics, moral code, call it what you will.
Either one will be ethical or not be ethical, and there is truly no question here.
REALTORS® swear to uphold the Code of Ethics. In my 8 years in this particular industry, that swearing is not taken to mind, heart and behaviors by many agents. Professional real estate agents who do not have the designation of REALTOR® have their own ethics.
However for both I believe these three words matter:
Protect and Promote
We protect and promote our sellers and our buyers by our actions. Through our ethical actions we demonstrate many of the skills this article mentioned such as:
- Communication
- Being Timely
- Being Aware and Knowledgeable About Local to Regional to National Markets
- Negotiations Skills
- Continuing Education
- Building Relationships with Other Professionals
A Little Epistemology
The origin of the word ethics started in Greece with the feminine of “ethikos” meaning “ethical, pertaining to character,” and from “ethos” meaning “moral character.” In the 13th century, the Old French word was “etique” meaning “ethics, more philosophy.” Then in the 1600’s from Middle English there was “ethic” that being the study of morals.
Cicero coined the word “moral” from the Latin “moralis” meaning “pertaining to manners or customs” in translating the Greek “ethikos.” This translation by Cicero connected ethics to character and proper conduct within society.
Returning to the quote “To Be or Not to Be.” There is no question.
We as professional real estate agents will be ethical at all times or not be ethical. There is no middle ground from my perspective. Being ethical is not a choice like a smorgasbord.
As we look to the end of this year and the beginning of the next year, possibly these words of wisdom from others may strengthen our own ethics.
“A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.”
Albert Camus
“Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”
Potter Stewart
“Live one day at a time emphasizing ethics rather than rules.”
Wayne Dyer
P.S. Please consider checking out my Facebook business page, The Grit and Gratitude Realtor, that will focus on the Dirt Roads in Mohave County as well local real estate, lots of dirt or vacant land parcels as some of the local attractions.
#LetsGetBackToRealConversations #WeDoThingsDifferently #EthicsDoMatter
Leanne M Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Mile Because Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends.
Feature Photo Courtesy of Pixabay.com
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