Who Is Shaping Your Real Estate Journey?

Here's a question I've been thinking about...

There has been a lot of churn in our industry as of late. Compass + Anywhere. Real + RE/MAX. Berkshire + Lennar. eXp + NextHome. It's a LOT in a year. Then add who is suing whom, what trouble NAR will get into next, and who the heck is ARA? This just adds to all the noise we REALTORS® have to hear about.

I have been with my husband now for 18 years as of today. Happy anniversary to us! ❤️ When we first were dating, I was working at Realty Executives for the better part of a decade. As he would introduce me to his friends, he would say, “This is Nicholas Yale. He works for RE/MAX!” After a proper chastising, he would apologize while shrugging his shoulders and say, “Nobody really cares. What's the difference?” But WE know there is a difference to US, right, fellow REALTOR®?!

But I question: Was Bruce right? Do your clients REALLY care who you work with? I am going out on a limb that your clients are in line with Bruce's opinion. They care about who YOU are. They care—or should—that you are competent, educated, and skilled at your job. Who you work for is the logo on your business card. Dollar to donuts, 50% of your clients couldn't tell you what the company is.

So if this is true, why do WE care so much? As the owner of a company, I certainly care! I think it is because the brand we work for becomes part of our identity. The brand, for better or worse, defines how we see ourselves as agents.

I tell our agents that the reputation we have is not because of our really cool logo, but because of the type of agent we hire. It is THEIR reputation that builds the brand's reputation. There is nothing magical about a logo that makes people think “luxury.” It is the reputation behind the logo that gives it value.

Which brings me to the image above. The importance of having the right people in your life couldn't be illustrated more simply. And maybe that's why the company you choose does matter—not because of the name on the building, but because of the people you surround yourself with once you walk inside.

Just like Mom told you: “Who you hang out with is who you will become!” We've all heard some version of the idea that you become like the people you spend the most time with. Hang out with losers and, well, do not be surprised when you are sitting on the side of a road with handcuffs on. You might have had some fun, but there are consequences!

The same is true of the people you associate with in your career. Hanging out with agents who inspire you, challenge you, and lend a hand can make or break your career.

Are you taking advice from somebody who can't figure out how to open a lockbox, or are you collaborating with an agent who has mastered the systems and processes of a fabulous pipeline? Are you hanging out with other agents at all? Being in a silo in this business is neither fun nor inspiring.

Surround yourself with peers whose careers look like yours—or like the career you want. You might have a bit of imposter syndrome at first, but I promise you it will lead you down a better path than hanging out with lame people who do not care if you succeed or fail.

So this week, for my Sunday Morning Broker Thoughts Email™, I challenge you to take a look at your professional circle. Are you in alignment with where you want to be? When you look around at the agents you talk to most, do they inspire you? Do they give you good ideas, collaborate freely, and encourage you to be the best agent you can be? The office you bring your clients to—is it nice, or…?

Mom was right about one thing: If all your friends jump off a cliff, are you going to jump too? Stand up for yourself and demand that you have the RIGHT people in your life. You will be happier and more successful for it.

So the question I have been thinking about…I will toss back to you. Who are the people shaping your life?

Nicholas Yale

Designated Broker/Owner | Brokers Hub Realty