In the real estate industry we sometimes become so deal-focused that we lose sight of the value of teamwork. Over time, teams always beat individuals; however, teams are often diminished in our business.
If you believe in teamwork, it is critical to commit significant focus to team structure. Ideally, teams are made up of people with complementary skills sets and personalities, with each individual playing a critical role.
Sometimes people fear that they will be overshadowed by their team. That just isn’t the case. Well-organized teams enable people to maximize their productivity by focusing on their core strengths. Each individual remains critically important; teams will fail if even one team member becomes disenfranchised.
As NBA coach Phil Jackson once said, “The strength of the team is each individual member … the strength of each member is the team.”
These wise words can be applied to building a successful team of real estate professionals—combining the efforts of many to accomplish the goals of the group. Although there is no playbook for achieving success, below are some of the goals I keep in mind when developing teams:
• Clearly communicate goals and your mission.
• Create and foster a positive working environment.
• Leverage the team’s strengths by placing people in positions to capitalize on each individual’s talents.
• Empower individuals to perform at his or her peak.
• Commit to winning.
• Reward success.
• Provide support to people when it’s needed.
• Share the responsibilities of failure.
• Encourage collaboration and respect.
• Foster trust—teams will not be successful without it.
Building a successful team is very similar to building a successful real estate career; above all else, it takes commitment. There will be mistakes along the way, but unlimited success will occur if you and your organization remains committed.
Moody Younger is an executive managing director for Grubb & Ellis, overseeing the firm’s activities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and northern Mexico. Contact him at [email protected].
