2 minute read
THE POWER OF DIVERSITY
BY CRAIG WITT, PRESIDENT - U.S.
Everyone wants to hang out where they feel like they belong; they want to be comfortable, safe and appreciated. Building a brokerage has its share of challenges but attracting great agents should not be one of them. The perfect scenario would be to build an office where there’s a line outside the door of eager agents wanting to be part of your brokerage. So, how do you get to that point? There are many factors that go into building the perfect office, but the first ingredient must be strong, well-respected leadership. I think we can all agree the best offices with the best agents often have a leader who is a great coach and has a knack for getting the most and the best out of their people. The best leaders also understand the value of diversity.
We are faced today with generations, ethnic groups and belief systems that play a vital role in the development of a healthy community and atmosphere within an office. Everyone adds to the flavor of the culture within an office with their distinctive ideals, suggestions and perspectives from how they were raised over the years. Strong offices are built with a purposeful emphasis on diversity, knowing exactly how to create an environment where everyone learns and works together. Agents expect an office that is forward thinking and engaged in the acceptance of all people into the EXIT family; it’s what makes our culture here so appealing. In order for our sponsoring system to work to its fullest potential, our offices must be sponsor-friendly and provide every opportunity to help our people learn but also to make them feel comfortable. Give your agents a reason to join in and collaborate. Take a hard look at how you want your office to feel as it grows. For some of you that are veteran offices, perhaps look at where you are currently and where you can adjust and adapt. Identify how you’ll leverage and embrace diversity to not only attract agents but also to develop a rapport of being a company that is well-suited to work with many groups of consumers. Life is about stretching yourself; to be better tomorrow than we are today and to help others along the way.
