By Kathy and Troy Dooley, Regional Owners, EXIT Realty Alabama and Mississippi
We heard a sermon not too long ago entitled, “Be A Bridge, Not A Barrier”. We didn’t realize how important it was for us to hear it, but over the last while we have been able to put this message into our daily lives more than ever. We wanted to share this with you so that hopefully each person who reads it will walk away with a new-found passion for being a bridge instead of a barrier. Many times, what we say, do, text or email (collectively, our actions) can come across as a barrier versus a bridge. Hopefully, this will help you focus on building bridges versus building walls.
Each and every person reading this is a leader in some way. You may be leading a real estate office full of agents, or you may be an agent who is leading clients through a real estate transaction. As an agent, focus on being a bridge to have your buyers or sellers get to their ultimate goal of closing on a transaction. Even though it may be a rough process, your client should be able to lean on you to get them smoothly to the other side. The goal is for the client to feel the transaction was smooth regardless of the hoops you may have had to jump through to get the transaction closed. Keep in mind the communication you send has the opportunity to build a bridge or create a barrier. Be the person who always has suggestions for solutions if an opportunity arises.
Your emotions can build a bridge or create a barrier as well. Are you an agent whom other agents want to work with? Are you thought of as a knowledgeable and kind agent in your market or one who is demanding and makes others uncomfortable? Being a successful agent does not automatically mean you are a bridge builder. When an agent focuses on being significant in others’ lives and becomes successful, then they are seen as a bridge builder. We challenge each of you to focus on your actions so that you can become a better bridge builder. As an agent you must bridge people together so that all clients can have a wonderful experience with their real estate transaction.
As an Owner or Broker, ask yourself whether you are a bridge builder or do you find yourself building barriers at times. You have the power to build people up or break them down with your actions. Every leader in our Region has heard us say that we look for leaders with a heart for people. I guess we look for bridge builders as well. If you want to be seen as a leader, be a bridge. Ask yourself if your actions could be seen as instant barriers. We challenge each and every leader to go forward with a renewed passion to build bridges or even go back and replace a barrier you built with a bridge. We have accepted this challenge ourselves and hope that you will too. Remember, the only competition you have is in the mirror. Compete to be a better version of yourself than you were yesterday.
Perhaps you will accept this challenge and go forward with the passion to build bridges instead of walls. Or this may have hit close to home or reminded you of something you want to now go back and correct. We want to encourage and remind you a bridge must have internal strength and fortitude that is not seen on the outside. It is not an easy task – a bridge gets stepped on, leaned on, and carries a heavy load, but the bridge does not focus on the negative. A bridge focuses on getting people to a place they want to go and helps them overcome obstacles below. Let’s all be known for being the bridge.
Keep building bridges.