How many of you believe you are a team player?
My definition of a team player is simple: Being a team player means to recognize the strengths of all involved within a particular group and meeting a common goal. I learned early on that working together to meet that common goal of getting to closing with our clients is THE most important part of the transaction.
We can rant and rave about the other agent, the loan officer, the buyer, the seller, the home inspector, the stager, the escrow officer, the attorney, the pest inspector, the surveyor (and the list goes on and on) although that does not accomplish anything. Not a darn thing but conflict.
Being part of the team will lead to a solution; where as being part of the problem will not.
I have compiled a few tips about what I, (that one person in the group) will need to do in order to be a team player. It has lead to a happy ending through each and every transaction.
- Help out the real estate agent on the other side when they need it. Yes, many a time the other agent will neglect their duties but it is up to us to think in the best interests of our client and help out when need be.
- Don't needlessly waste energy and time to rant and rave about another's performance. Instead, voice my opinion after listening to the other person. Communication comes from listening and allowing each side to speak as well. It IS a give and take situation.
- Recognize that others have strengths and weaknesses. I recognize that each team player has their own part in the transaction and that they too have strengths and weaknesses just like I do. Compliment them and give sound advice when needed. No one will want to listen to negative remarks.
Share Information to get to that common goal. This is not a game of who is better than the next person. It's about working together effectively by sharing information when needed so everyone is kept apprised of any situation that comes up during the course of the transaction.- Be a part of the solution. Work together to find a solution to the problem. If it's due to miscommunication and we need to find an alternative we do so while striving to keep a professional attitude. Again, we are thinking in the best interests of our client to find a solution for success.
- A little effort goes a long way. How many times do we hear..."it's not my job". Well, it is my job to ensure that my client has a stress less transaction. If it will save a bit of time, I will draft an addendum or document for both sides to sign. It takes so little to help out so that we stay on our timelines.
- Step a bit aside with control issues. I definitely have control issues over my own client and when a party to the transaction contacts my client and doesn't inform me of the update I will be assertive. I will let the other party know that I would like to be kept apprised of all situations and updates.
- Keeping everyone else apprised of situations that may affect the transaction. Should a ‘situation' arise I will email those involved with the ‘situation' so that everyone is not surprised. Again, finding a solution IS the only way to get to that common goal.
- Working together brings out the best in people. Again, this is not a game of who is better than the next person. It's about thinking in the best interests of our client and working together. When we all work together we find that others may have some ideas that may work to achieve a solution too.
- Keep a positive attitude. This is the best tip of all. Needless negativity and ranting and raving equals wasting time and energy and it serves no purpose in our industry. A positive attitude is so much greater and produces results. We give superior service and performance and act in a professional manner throughout all parts of our industry.
I can only stress the importance of being a team player but it is ultimately up to each and every one of us to create a positive environment within our industry for our clients. It is not about who is better or pointing fingers at the other person when situations arise. It's all about finding solutions and working together to meet that common goal.
Be a part of the team with a team player attitude!
It WILL produce solutions AND positive results!
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..................A Big Mahalo to everyone involved in the recent closing for my Happy Hawaii Home Buyers!
TEAMWORK prevailed!
Our home buying experience with Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman and Century 21 Liberty Homes was very impressive and enjoyable. Whenever we called to ask questions or to get more information, she was very patient and informative. We never felt rushed and she took time to share in our excitement and concerns as she walked us through what Oahu had to offer in our budget. Her number-one priority was my families happiness and finding us "the house of our dreams". Through the experience, we not only found that dream home, but also gained a friend. I'm writing this testimonial because I want others to share in our enjoyable home-buying experience. Sally has our highest endorsement as a caring, attentive and experienced real estate agent.
William and Yvonne Byrd, Kapolei, Hawaii
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves all Hawaii Home Buyers and Sellers on the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) including all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents.
Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Such a good post...needs to be a featured one!
Thanks for sharing those ten good tips to being a Team Player. Extremely helpful.
All of these points are so important. Different brokerages have different reputations. I landed at a supportive one, thank goodness.
Love this post today, thanks for getting it out to ust today.
Thanks for the support! Now...if everyone would support each other in this way we'd surely have team players as a part of our every day business model.....and no doubt part of our lives! Relationships...whether personal or industry related means communication on all sides to make for a smooth outcome!
Sally,
Great post! I like to see ourselves as "opportunity brokers". Whether it's helping a client or a client's agent we create opportunities and offer assistance. What they do with that opportunity is up to them.
Someone said, " Bosses fix the blame and leaders fix problems".
Enjoy,
Steve
Thanks Steve! And that's what i believe it's all about too! Like you said:
I like to see ourselves as "opportunity brokers". Whether it's helping a client or a client's agent we create opportunities and offer assistance. What they do with that opportunity is up to them.
Beautiful!
Sally,
Great advice!
Kudos on the kudos!
Bill
Sally, the secret (sort of) is that it's so very much easier to work like a team. Ranting takes so much energy!
Love the list, Sally, especially number 10. I try to walk away as quickly as possible when the whining and complaining start. No one needs to hear that.
Great advice. Being a team player is critical for the over all success of the Whole Team.
Doesn't mean not speaking up when there is an issue, but working together for the greater good.
Hi Sally,
Wouldn't it be great if everyone worked this way? But you know, each and every one of us can be a catalyst beginning with ourselves.
It's all about concentrating on the positive, sharing information and working towards the common goal. We've all have had problem transactions, whining about them does not result in anything positive. Suggested as featured.
Bottom line is that we have enough stress, our clients have enough stress during the transaction...why add all the drama to it? Working together or doing a little going above and beyond only helps :)
Hi Sally -- Your approach is akin to leading by example which is always a lot more effective than the alternative, which unfortunately, is the norm in many transactions. I have found that by really communication and establishing a good rapport and also ensuring that when a thorny issue comes up, it's not about bashing people, but about finding a solution to the problem, no matter who gets the credit as at the end of the day, real estate is first, last, and always, about the client, never about us. We are a means to an end, and hopefully a good means along the way. "Getting to Yes" by Fisher and Ury was immensely helpful when I started more and more to incorporate as many of their concepts and that of Principled Negotiations along the way.
I always want to close them as fast as we can with little or no problems a long the way.
Sally there is no doubt that being a team player will help get the job done a lot smoother!
Sis - Timeless wisdom here that I wish was practiced as much as it is preached. In the meantime, preach and practice on!
Sally - this is really an excellent post and it looks like it has indeed been featured! congratulations!
We recently added a 3rd member to our team, and adding a 4th as soon as she gets her license. Our 3rd member had his own brokerage so I am sure it is an adjustment to be a part of a team where he is the buyer's agent but he is doing a fabulous job, and has even been asked to teach a class on being a team player!
I am going to refer new agents to this blog. They need to know, as should all agents, that everyone's goal should be to close the escrow. It is not in your client's interest to be obtructive. We need to cooperate.
Evelyn Kennedy(Realtor, Gallagher & Lindsey, Inc. REALTORS)
I think everyone would agree with just about everything you mentioned, I just wish that when it came right down to it, everyone Acted that way. Great list!