Candor and Courage

I recently wondered to myself about the various traits that make a successful business person. I came to the conclusion that courage and candor are major contributors.

High Praise

I once had a casual meeting with the manager of a local real estate firm. She was very complimentary of our team’s success. “You know Al,” she said with a slight smile, “the agents in my office know that when your team lists a property, it’s most likely going to sell. You always seem to provide your clients with the guidance necessary to ensure that it does.”

Guidance

I listened to a young author speak recently at the local library. She read passages from her first, newly released novel. The reviews have been very positive. She talked about the way in which she selected the agent who helped her get the book published. It came down to the relationship. The one she chose was the one that gave her the most guidance and was there to advise her every step of the way. As a new author, that was very important to her.

The Courage to do so

“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities… because it is the quality which guarantees all others,” -Winston Churchill.

I was flattered by the comment of the manager with whom I met. I humbly realize that what she and her agents perceive to be true is in fact true. Realtors need to be there for their clients. Like the author who was new to the process of getting a book published, many home seller clients are novices at selling a home. It takes courage to tell them what they need to know and not simply what they want to hear in making prudent decisions regarding, among other things, pricing and staging – the proper positioning of their home in the market place. The candor and courage to do so is what separates the exceptional business person from those who are not.

Written by Al N. Filippone. For more information about the local real estate market, contact us at 203.655.5358 or visit our website at afahomes.com.