Something to Think About for the New Year
The link below will take you to a stylized video based on a slideshow originally created by Karl Fisch, examining globalization and America’s future in the 21st century. (it’s about 6 minutes)
Its incredible how fast the world is changing. How will this affect the way we live in our homes? do business?
How do leaders set their sites so far out – that things don’t even exist – to move their organizations in the right direction?
Guarantee this will make you think
My Path to Leadership
Mark Foreman of CT, is the 2009 NAR Law & Policy Liaison
How do you get involved in a leadership position at NAR?
Follow your passion. If you have any aspirations to lead at the national level, you need to find your particular area of interest and discover what it takes to be successful in that area. Get a good understanding of the NAR issues relating to your interest and which committees address them. Understand the structure of committees and get to know the committee leadership and the senior staff personally. Does existing leadership know you and your skills? Let them know what it is that you bring to the table.
Looking back, how would you say your leadership style has changed or evolved?
I think I’m more aware of how I interact with people and the importance of treating everyone with respect by listening carefully. Patience is a great leadership trait and so is listening. It may seem obvious, but people are different and like to be treated as individuals. Throughout my various positions in a leadership role, formal and informal leadership training has really helped me to develop my leadership traits and skills. The personal and professional return you get serving as a volunteer leader is incredible. To be known in the industry and to be recognized as a leader helps to give you a competitive edge.
How will real estate evolve in the near future and how can leaders prepare for that change?
I see a shift to real estate transactions being completed 100 percent online. It’s a matter of time before it all clicks into place for the buyer and seller sides of a transaction. I think every role in the transaction will be fulfilled online. To prepare, you need to make sure the staff in your office is trained for a paperless system. Technology education is key. Knowing what’s currently available and what is in development is important. In our office we use an electronic filing system for each of our clients. We scan documents into directories. Then anyone in the office can log in and access all documentation on a client.
Who are leaders that have influenced you, and why?
I’ve had the pleasure and honor recently to meet many NAR past presidents, and they are all incredible leaders. One that stands out for a lot of people is Richard Mendenhall. He is someone who cares deeply about the association and the members. He is the quintessential leader.
Our 2008 President, Dick Gaylord also personified the role of the president as one who serves others. Every single time you called or wrote to Dick, he responded, thoughtfully and often immediately to every request. I’ve never met anyone who has the ability to remember the names of so many people and make each one feel special. It was a tough year, and Dick has done so much for our members and the association as a whole. It is often said that in good times leaders lead from behind and in tough times leaders lead from the front. Dick was out front all year on so many issues that were important to our members.
I look forward to adding our 2009 President Charles McMillan to this list, knowing his skills and also his passion for excellence and love for our association.
What’s next for you?
In the immediate future, I have the 2009 role of NAR Liaison to Law and Policy. Which I am very excited about. Beyond that, I will stay involved with NAR if I can contribute some value and we’ll see where it goes from there. I’ve made some good friends during my involvement at the national level and truly appreciated the opportunity to serve our members this year as the 2008 Vice President to Committees.
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Mark Foreman a REALTOR® for 21 years, is owner of Cornerstone Capital Mortgage & Real Estate Services, Inc. in Fairfield, Conn.
What’s Your Favorite Book on Leadership?
Good to Great
by Mariwyn Evans, Senior Editor
A little while back, the REALTOR® magazine Weekly Book Blog ran a list of readers’ pick for their favorite business books. Many of the books, like Freakonomics and The Tipping Point, focus more on business operations, but the list did include one of my own all-time favorites. Good to Great: Why some Companies Make the Lead and Other Don’t, by Jim Collins. Good to Great came out in 2001, but its message of not settling for average as good enough is just as true today. The best part of the book, in my opinion, is that unlike many “motivational” business books that just spout off some new feel-good slogan, Good to Great actually analyzes top performing companies and tries to figure out what qualities allowed them to be come—and stay—great.
Here are some of Collins’ ideas of what makes a great leader and a great company.
1. Personal humility combined with professional will. The leaders of great companies are not the charismatic superstars. Think Lincoln, not Patton, says Collins.
2. A culture of personal discipline—not hierarchy and bureaucracy—combined with an ethic of entrepreneurship.
3. A willingness to face the facts—even if you don’t like them—yet never lose faith in your ability to overcome challenges.
4. Steady, relentless, incremental work toward a goal—not a dramatic, one-time change– is what produces breakthroughs.
Do you agree with Collins—or are you of the Jack Welch school of business leaders? Share your own thoughts on what makes a great leader with your fellow academy members.
