2020 has brought along a multitude of ‘unprecedented’ scenarios for the world that has impacted not only the way that we interact with each other but effectively turned how we do business on its head.
Never before in our industry have, we had to pivot, implement new business practises, embrace new technology and change the way we practise to the level we have had to over the past 6 months.
With all the changes that have happened over this period the question now is ‘will we go back to how things use to be, or can we use what we have learnt to better ourselves and our industry?’
This question has been on my mind and been a hot topic in a lot of conversations I’ve had, so I thought I’d share with you what is happening in our industry.
The way we do business is changing…
In the past, the style of managing and the style of business ownership has been all about dictating. It has been more about force and domination and a ‘winner takes all’ approach.
Society and culture has been evolving and it has produced great leaders who embrace being very open and honest about problems and concerns in the business and various different issues. It’s moving towards a collaborative approach which is all-inclusive of those working in the business.
By collaborating instead of dictating it means that it’s easier to get people on board with projects. Not only do you understand their perspective and see what they are trying to achieve, they get to see your side and what you want to achieve. They are more involved and passionate about a project when they are true collaborators in it. Collaboration empowers people and it’s the way of the future.
The Industry in the times of COVID and coming out of it.
Now it’s more important than ever for business leaders to step up in their businesses. Be the calm influence your team need you to be, support your staff with issues they have and help they need. While difficult, it’s more important than ever to spend individual time with your employee. To make these meetings valuable you need to really understand them - what motivates them, what's important to them. This way you will be able to understand how you can best support them.
Right now, for agents, it’s important to focus on building relationships with as many people as you can. These are not conversations asking the question ‘are you willing to buy and sell?’. This is the time to have empathetic conversations with the people in your community. Those agents spending the time right now building relationships, making the calls, doing the work are the ones that are going to be able to skyrocket out of this when activity returns.
One other thing to think about is, in two years’ time what are the things that you’re going to regret that you didn't do during this time when you have got the time? Don’t push yourself to do projects if you don’t have time, but if you do, take advantage of this moment in time. Get clear on what it is that you want to achieve. Drill down on exactly what is it that you want to do. Then figure out when you want to do it by, what resources you need and set aside some time (make meetings with yourself) to do whatever it is that you need to do. There's so much opportunity to do things right now, but you need to be clear on what it is that you want to do and then just make it happen!
Lastly, if you are feeling the overwhelm, all you need to focus on is what you can do right now. Not on the things that we can’t do, what we can do. The entire world is in exactly the same situation and it's okay to feel sad or to feel sorry for yourself but give yourself a time limit to dwell on it. If you really need to cry, give yourself a time limit and then get back on with it and focus on what you can right now. We will get through this.
Managing your mindset and making changes.
Times like the current can bring to the forefront any unhappiness in your current lifestyle. If you’re not happy with your current situation in either work or life, identifying what it is that you are unhappy about and find a way about how you can do something different to change it. It’s not always about getting a new job. It could be going back and furthering your education or changing how you run your business. It just means doing things differently or doing different things. It’s also not about expecting someone else to change. By changing your situation, you are taking control of making your life more interesting for you.
Future industry innovation.
We have some incredible industry leaders setting the platform for our industry to become a profession. I think that this is a brilliant concept, we work hard and deserve it. It would mean that we could hold ourselves and each other to a higher standard of accountability and give a much better consumer experience.
While on hold at the moment due to COVID, there is work in a place with our industry boards to introduce new and improved training reforms. This means that professionals will have to meet certain requirements to have a license or be a licensee in charge. More education and work experience form the base from where we become a profession.