Managers as Leaders: How to Spot the Best

By Darrin Friedman

For most real estate agents out there, having a strong manager is crucial to their success. After all, many would suggest it is this relationship that most likely determines the day-to-day advancement of an agent’s business and career.

But what are the factors that the typical agent should look for when considering this kind of partnership? What attributes should managers exhibit to encourage you to choose them as your leader?

Here are some examples of true leadership abilities that some of the best managers demonstrate:

1. The willingness to truly listen. Some of the best leaders I know are not the loudest talkers but the ones who show that they are effective listeners, giving agents not only a safe place to vent, but also the ability to express why they are upset about a particular situation. These types of leaders listen carefully and take time to think about the situation before offering advice. It is in those active listening moments that trust is gained and relationships are built.

2. The ability to keep everyone focused. Leadership is about helping people stay focused on the task at hand and the best leaders I know have done this consistently over long periods of time. Regardless of the time of year or particulars of the market, the best leaders keep their team honed in on the activities that support positive movement. In other words, leaders keep their associates focused on doing work that will give them the greatest “ROI” or return on investment.

3. The willingness to never stop teaching. The best leaders never stop coaching and teaching. They have vast knowledge of how the industry works, and they share it easily and often. It is through positive and focused engagement that they enhance their workforce.

4. The ability to motivate. There is nothing quite like a strong motivator. Most great leaders are, and have usually developed this wonderful skill over time, making them able to strike exactly the right tone at the right moment to inspire others.. This kind of leader will always be able to lift you up, no matter the occasion. And for any agent aware of the ups and downs of the real estate business, that quality is priceless.

DARRIN FRIEDMAN is a Strategic Brand Specialist with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty serving the greater Pittsburgh, PA area. Find him on Facebook and Twitter or email him at darrinfriedman@thepreferredrealty.com.