RISMEDIA, April 1, 2009-Excellence is defined as the “state of possessing good qualities in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue.” In plain English, this means someone who consistently makes an above-average effort. Do you maintain an environment of excellence at your brokerage? And what constitutes “excellence?”
Here are eight points to consider:
Show up – Honor your commitments both to others and yourself. Being dependable and reliable is one of the most valuable attributes a person can have.
Practice discernment – If item one says “honor commitments,” this item says “choose your commitments wisely.” Be choosy in what you spend your time on. Put your efforts only towards what makes up your responsibilities. Hold others accountable to their own tasks, and learn to say no. You cannot practice excellence if you are doing everyone else’s work in favor of your own.
Identify the results you want – Know what you are trying to accomplish, even if you don’t know the end game. If you are part of a bigger project, know the expectations others have of your part. Have clear guidelines. No one can be at their best with vague instructions.
Be present – Sure, we can all multi-task, and that’s fine with respect to routine tasks which don’t require any thought. When your work calls for something more, being present is absolutely necessary to produce excellent results. We’ve all had the experience of “being in the zone” – being so focused and aware that we lost track of time. This is when we do our best work. Take control of your time and your environment. Set aside times where you are not interrupted, turn off your phone, close your door, and turn off IM. Be proactive with your environment, not reactive. Put boundaries and structure in place to provide the foundation for being present.
See the big picture – Step back and look at what you’re doing. Don’t remain so narrowly focused that you miss how your work can enhance your brokerage, colleagues, and subordinates. People who excel naturally step back to ensure their efforts contribute effectively to the whole.
Maintain a positive stance – As soon as you regress to a reactive stance you are no longer in control. Learn to say no, stay on task, and accept that challenges are simply a message to readjust. Delays and setbacks are part of life and the ability to handle them with grace and professionalism will confirm your reputation for excellence.
Complete each task – Follow through on your obligations and responsibilities. Do you have a pile of unfinished projects? Did you lose interest? Too busy? Was it motivating in the beginning but has become tedious? Being able to see a task or project through from beginning to end is critical to maintain the quality of excellence.
Debrief – Whether it was a team or solitary project or task, go through a debriefing. What went wrong? What went right? What can be improved upon? The mark of excellence is not to simply maintain the status quo, or do something “because it’s always been done that way.” Constructive progress is the mark of excellence, of going the extra step.
Excellence will set you apart from most people. An environment of excellence will set your brokerage apart from others. At our company, this is our corporate philosophy – and what we believe sets EXIT Realty apart from other real estate companies. Taking pride in providing superior service, executing your work well, and fostering this atmosphere throughout your circle of influence, both professionally and personally, can only lead to positive results.
About Sharron Richardson: Sharron Richardson has worked 30+ years in administration. In 2002, she moved to EXIT Realty Corp International, using her expertise to train in EXIT’s elite Franchise Support department. In 2004 she became the Manager of Franchise Support, taking EXIT’s administrative training and support to the next level.
