In an era of “What’s in it for me?” the benefits of serving local, state or national associations may be lost on today’s overloaded real estate professionals. The buzz around the office is more likely to be on lead generation or artificial intelligence than on which organization to join, meeting to attend or committee to serve.
John C. Maxwell said, “Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” Real estate agents are leaders, guiding their clients through the home buying or selling maze with authority and expertise. Building confidence, gaining knowledge and widening one’s circle of influence are all benefits of becoming involved in REALTOR® associations.
Lori Muller, Broker/Owner of EXIT Elite Realty with offices in Appleton, Shawano and Green Bay Wisconsin, credits much of her development as a successful leader and the growth of her operation to her involvement in organized real estate, citing Women’s Council of REALTORS® as a particularly beneficial association. Muller is the local WCR Network Past President, state Past President, Region II RVP and she serves on the National Executive Committee. The median income of a WCR member is more than double that of an average REALTOR® and 74% of its members agree that as a result of their involvement in WCR they have become stronger leaders and developed advanced leadership skills which have extended to their personal, community and business lives. Of her involvement with WCR, Muller says, “It’s given me the opportunity to grow my communication skills, network, and it’s made me step out of my comfort zone.”
NAR offers many opportunities to serve on committees and NAR’s REALTOR® University offers Leadership Academy for those wishing to take a deeper dive into association leadership. More information and the application for the 2019 Leadership Academy can be found here.
The opportunity to influence government policy as well as helping to shape the future of the industry inspires many agents to become involved in organized real estate. “If you want to grow as a leader and become more involved in our industry, own it,” says Muller who serves extensively on the local, state and national level influencing professional standards and public policy. “Education equals knowledge and the members you meet in these organizations equal colleagues, and from the colleagues you build relationships which then equal referrals.”
And that’s what’s in it for you.
