There are some points in your line of work where you feel that what you are doing is a little pressing or there is too much on your plate and the question that keeps popping up in your head is “Can I handle all this by myself?” which is also frustrating. Well, truth is, it depends; but if you ever reach that point, and then know that it is the right time to think of a team.
Or maybe, you already have a team, but what they are doing is really not up to your expectations. When it comes to this, all you need to do is reevaluate your team goals and targets again. Change will make all the difference. There are so many people out there doing real estate and leading people who are so successful, but the real question is: “How successful do I want my team to be?”
What you require to make your team successful
Every day, teams are made and torn apart. However, there are a few that manage to make it big. When a real estate agent starts up a team, most of them often become so frustrated due to one common problem: overstating their expectations with the team. When the team faces a challenge, members may give up easily; but what you should know is this: “to build a successful, high-performing team all you require is patience and time.” You as a leader should also be there to provide all the attention needed by the members.
Building a successful real estate team from scratch
When deciding to put your minds together and come up with a team, there are some crucial elements that you need to observe at all times. Anyone in particular can start up a team; after all, there is not much effort required. But to be successful, you need to give careful thought on how to set up a successful team. The following points should help you hit the ground running.
Realigning your objectives and task
This usually happens in the forming stage of the team, whether you are a brand new or existing team, sometimes you need to add some new members. When this happens, it is best that you let the new members know how your force works. The formulation stage of any group is centered on this; you have to realign your members’ objectives with those of the team to identify the strengths and the weaknesses of the group. After this, if your team is facing some downfalls, then the next point is crucial to saving it.
Digging for the root problems
If your team never faces internal challenges, then something might be off. Well, do not take this wrong: every team has its own internal challenges, and at this point many of the teams will fail miserably. This is the point where you need to ask yourself questions regarding your team’s performance. If the team has not been doing well, you need to ask a “big why” and assess the problem seriously.
Also, your team members should ask themselves this question over and over again. You need to be close to your team because it is the point where distrust and conflict will result.
After identifying the root to all your problems, including members’ personal views on the development of the group, then it is time that you find the appropriate solution to the problems. Sometimes things may get personal; if you do not have the strength to do it, hiring a professional to take over might do you good.
Understanding your role in the group
This is what follows after realigning your goals with that of the team and dealing with the possible problems in the team. At this point, members in the team have a clean and clear view of what is expected of them, and therefore they will begin to work together as a team. This is the point where they understand each other and complement each other and are working towards the team’s primary goal.
It is important that as a leader you be there at all the times. It is crucial that the team stays intact and cohesiveness is upheld for the group’s motives to be achieved.
The above points are very important in ensuring the success of the team. But that is not all; there are some individual characters of the members that you, as a leader must encourage. Realigning the members’ goals to that of the group, solving the problems, or even making sure that each member understands their role in the team may not be enough, because if members lack integrity or honesty then the team will surely fail.
There are skills that are so integral and must be upheld for the success of the group. Your team members must have at least a few of the following skills:
- Honesty and integrity.
- Knowledge of the purpose of the group.
- Responsibility
- Good social skills.
All of these are important in making sure that your team is successful in business. Once the team upholds these skills, be sure to have one powerful group that is also successful.
It is tough to come up with a team that is successful in a tough industry such as real estate, but even so, making a teamwork out can be very simple. All you need is the end result and a way to get to it. A team is one of the important elements you can use to get to your goal.
Eric Lawrence Frazier, MBA
President and CEO
NMLS #461807 CalBRE #01143484
