Being a real estate leader isn’t just about making sales. It’s also about inspiring your team, creating a supportive work environment, and leading by example.
Which begs the question: are you giving your team the tools they need to thrive in both their personal and professional lives? Believe it or not, helping your employees feel supported and fulfilled is one of the most important factors when it comes to building a healthy, successful real estate team.
Similarly, creating a healthy team will help you both increase revenue and decrease employee turnover – making it even easier for you and your business to thrive.
Is there really such a thing as work/life balance? Some leaders would argue that in the hectic world of real estate, balance is hard to come by. But for a real estate team to truly work in harmony, you need to prioritize the health and wellness of your employees – both on and off the clock.
Now, we’re not suggesting that you immediately give your employees unlimited vacation (although some real estate employers do), but we believe that setting clear expectations is the first step in helping your team succeed.
For example, imagine that you just hired a new employee. You tell them that they will be expected to work Monday-Friday, from 9-5 with the occasional weekend. Once they start working, however, their schedule quickly shifts from 9-5 to 8:30-6, and the “occasional” weekend becomes every other weekend.
Subsequently, they start missing family outings and can no longer attend their favorite evening fitness class because it starts at 6pm. A seemingly small change of schedule has robbed them of valuable recharge time and special moments with their family.
When you hire a new employee, give them clear expectations. Then, honor your word moving forward. Yes, there may be times where you need your employees to go above and beyond, but refrain from taking advantage of their loyalty. It will build trust and show that you care.
A healthy real estate team has boundaries, and it’s up to you to set them. Discussing personal matters at work and oversharing can be surprisingly detrimental to your success.
Avoid discussing the intimate details of your relationships, engaging in office gossip, or spending an excessive amount of time with your employees in unprofessional settings. Although real estate team structure tends to be a little more lax, you still need to demonstrate healthy boundaries to be an effective leader.
When was the last time you asked your employees how you can help them reach their personal and professional goals? If you didn’t do this in their initial interview, then now is the time.
Maybe you’ve learned that one of your team members wants to run a marathon. Will supporting them benefit your business? In a direct sense, no. But indirectly, yes! There’s no better way to retain your employees than by supporting their dreams.
Building a healthy real estate team takes time, effort, and dedication. If you want to become a better leader for your real estate team, sign up for a free clarity call to explore coaching with Kathleen Metcalf. Your leadership adventure starts now!
KATHLEEN METCALF
Coach, Hiring & Retention Consultant, Hire LAB Co-Founder
Continue the conversation with her here.
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