This time of year is always difficult in terms of focus. We universally obsess over resolutions at the beginning of the year and try to be motivated to perfect our lives. But by the end of the year, reality has set in and we still haven’t bought a home in Belize or lost 25 lbs.
If you’re a broker or team manager and are noticing this lethargy or discouraged state with your team focus, consider stepping up as a leader to get the team to refocus.
As the seasons change, so can our moods. It can be helpful to have quarterly check-ins with your team (either one-on-one or as a group) to discuss current methods, trends, what’s expected on either side, and what can be improved. This form of open communication helps employees de-stress and may help them recharge and regain motivation.
Another communicative form can be found in surveys. Sending check-in surveys via email to your team to assess their feelings of the workload, the market, and to voice any concerns they have. It can be a great way to open the door for bigger, more important conversations. These surveys can be formatted to be answered anonymously, as well.
Be sure to always be accessible and focused yourself, as you’re setting the barometer of expectation. Allowing for this open communication can let you know what can be improved on your end, which can aid in refocusing.
Another way to bring your team focus together is by hosting a quarterly lunch for everyone. This helps your agents to bond, while also feeling like their work is being appreciated; therefore, motivating them to keep on producing well.
At the end of the day, you can’t be everyone’s friend. So if you’re observing behavior that seems to be unproductive or unfocused, don’t be afraid to speak frankly. Sometimes all it takes is for that behavior to be acknowledged to convince someone to step up their game.
Remember – each team and each manager is different. The attempt to get everyone on the same page and to continuously make strides as a team can take trial and error, but it’s something to always be cognizant of to avoid issues in the future and keep sales on track.
Staff Writer, Taylor Leddin is a publicist and freelance writer for a number of national outlets. She was featured on Thrive Global as a successful woman in journalism, and is the editor-in-chief of The Tidbit. Taylor resides in Chicago and has a Bachelor in Communication Studies from Illinois State University.
