PRESIDENT'S CORNER: Allow Your Leadership Skills to Blossom

I am blessed to have attended our National Association of Realtors NAR NXT meetings on Nov. 11-13 where I was afforded the opportunity to represent the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, the Hudson Valley and New York City at this well-attended event staged in Orlando, FL.

The NAR Board of Directors voted to replace the term “handicap” with “disability” in Article 10 of the Code of Ethics, in the Standards of Practice, and in corresponding NAR references to protected classes under the Fair Housing Law. This change to the Code was subsequently approved by the NAR Delegate Body and will go into effect Jan. 1, 2023.

As the Fall season rolls in, I just want to remind you that this is actually a great time to not take a break, but to plant those seeds for the business you want next year. NAR designates November as the month to earn professional designations in real estate. It is important to understand that the professionalism, Code of Conduct and the Code of Ethics that we follow is truly paramount to what we have to offer as Realtors in providing the greatest service to a seller, and to a potential homebuyer in making their American dream of home ownership a reality. Our actions and attitudes impact and influence the process cyclically.

So, what is professionalism in real estate? 1. It is a combination of appearance and attitude (or presenting oneself “professionally”), and excellent client service. 2. Understanding and following the important fiduciary duties imposed on real estate licensees (including placing the clients’ interests ahead of those of the licensees).

As we will continue to Renew, Reenergize and Re-Engage, I hope to ignite the leader within you. Let us all work toward developing professional credibility by learning to share the value system of integrity and respect, commitment to excellence and continuous self-development by providing positive, productive ways to collaborate with members and support each other by working together to achieve personal growth and business success.

Allow your leadership skills to blossom and find your authentic leadership style, so you can apply newfound leadership skills, and pursue leadership opportunities across all areas of your personal and professional life. Build opportunity through your network and learn other ways you can work together to bring different experiences, ideas and perspectives.

All this is easier said than done, but I appeal to you to take on the challenge of leadership. Here is a challenge for all the brokers—How can Brokers become great leaders? Great leaders lead by doing. Great leaders keep selling real estate. Great leaders offer open office hours for their agents. Great leaders create ongoing opportunities for continuing education and skills development. Great leaders communicate clearly, supportively, and consistently with their team members and real estate professionals. Great leaders create and maintain a challenging, nuanced and accountable environment for all real estate pros.

Here are four core qualities of professionalism: market knowledge, responsibility, interpersonal skills and integrity. This coupled with high standards, a professional demeanor, full-time commitment, motivation and continuing education keep agents ahead of the curve, including professional designations will forge our industry forward.

So, why should real estate designations matter to you? Depending on what your specific real estate needs are, certain designations might mean more to you than others. For example, if you are in need of a real estate agent who can help you or your loved one’s transition to a senior living facility, you may want to work with a Senior Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), because they are trained to understand the unique needs of seniors and their families in this type of situation. Or perhaps you are selling your LEED-certified home and you want an agent who specializes in marketing these types of properties, then you may want to work with a Certified Green Real Estate Professional (CG-REP).

A Realtor designation is a credential to demonstrate to the agent’s market that they have specialized education, knowledge and expertise to help their clients navigate some niche home buying and selling scenarios. LET’S GO and EARN some Designations!! You can get started at:
https://www.nar.realtor/education/designations-and-certifications

In closing, as a shout out, I would like to congratulate the HGAR Global Business Council for their support in HGAR earning the prestigious NAR PLATINUM Global Achievement Award for 2022.

One of the most difficult tasks in life is defining your purpose. The payoff from clarity of purpose is enormous. There is a direct correlation between clarity of purpose and success. I have found that the most successful people spend time thinking, planning, evaluating and then re-evaluating their progress. As Realtors, we continually need to evaluate where our business is coming from, the trends in the market, and then plan for changing market conditions. This is the time for all of us to spend time planning and evaluating which is critical to our success and growth in the real estate industry.

One of the most crucial functions of the planning process is future forecasting. It is very hard to achieve clarity when the view is strictly on a daily, weekly or even a yearly basis. The view must be long-term and then work backwards. True leaders have a vision and decide on the necessary steps to fulfill that vision. Let’s plan accordingly!

As you know well, there is never a dull moment in real estate. Every client and every transaction presents its own set of unique opportunities and challenges. As Realtors, we’re ready for it. I am confident that our association and the real estate community will continue to thrive.

Be smart. Be productive. Mostly, be safe. As always, my best wishes for your continued success!