Credo for Credibility
Over the last 15 years I've tried a variety of different creative
writing formats. I've done poetry, short stories, blogging, and I've
even got an unfinished novel or three laying around in my studio
downstairs. One of my biggest passions as a writing platform, though,
was playwriting. I was convinced that it was my life long niche when I
was in my later years of college, and while I was very good at dialogue
writing and the incorporation of the theatrical element, there's just
not a lot of career opportunities in playwriting, so it remains
something that I can do in my fabled "spare time."
When I was playwriting, I would buy books on the subject to try to learn more. One of the books that I bought was bright pink and called "Playwriting!" and the thing that I remember about this book was the section that talked about making a writer's credo. This was to be a list that at the top of it said the words "I BELIEVE" and then listed truths about life that the writer had come to understand. It was/is a valuable tool for me as a writer, and I have also expanded it in to my property management world. I'd like to share with you some of my Property Management Credo.
I BELIEVE:
I'd be interested to hear what your teams come up with for credos, or maybe even what your personal credos are. Please email me at hblume@csi4job.com with your credos and I'll do a post devoted to them in mid summer!
When I was playwriting, I would buy books on the subject to try to learn more. One of the books that I bought was bright pink and called "Playwriting!" and the thing that I remember about this book was the section that talked about making a writer's credo. This was to be a list that at the top of it said the words "I BELIEVE" and then listed truths about life that the writer had come to understand. It was/is a valuable tool for me as a writer, and I have also expanded it in to my property management world. I'd like to share with you some of my Property Management Credo.
I BELIEVE:
- That property management has a place for EVERYONE, and that every person has an important skill set that they bring to an on site team
- That we are forced through these painful professional growth experiences for a reason. Sometimes it's because we need to learn to deal with something so we know what to do the next time it happens, sometimes it's to show ourselves that we are stronger than we think, and sometimes it's so we can learn to trust a leader/mentor
- That when you hire someone, you do it because you see something in them that makes them special to you. We don't throw a dart to make a hiring decision. When you're angry with a person on your team, try to remember why you hired them, what you saw in them to begin with.
- That saying "No" as a manager sucks because people don't understand the flat no. If you're going to say no, say no with a reason. Good leaders let their teams buy in to their lines of thought.
- That the "economy" isn't a great excuse for low occupancy. It might be a catalyst, but your team buying in to the excuse is why the numbers aren't rebounding.
- That if you don't laugh working in this industry then you will cry
- That hard times are when you see your rockstars shine. Make sure you let them shine right now, because when it comes back to the day-to-day living part, they don't glimmer nearly as much. People are usually either GREAT in a crisis, or GREAT with the mundane styles of day to day life. If you find one who can sit on the middle ground here, let me know, and you should probably promote them.
- That social media is an awesome tool for improving the industry.
- That social media is an awesome tool for destroying the industry.
- That if you believe in your core that something will work, and you give it your all, commit to it and it still fails, then you are a better leader coming out at the end of it.
- That you'd better respect your maintenance guys because they put their hands in places you wouldn't want to.
- That
if you make it a habit to not take your lunch each day, you will suffer
incredible burnout within a few months. Leave the office, go take a
walk, take your lunch. It's important.
- That if someone is standing outside your office at 8:55 AM you should open the doors and let them in. is that 5 minutes REALLY going to make that big of a difference by 4PM that day?
- That as a regional manager, you
should treat your porters the same way you treat your managers. You
should try to forget titles and hierarchies when your visiting your
teams and just stand back to watch how they function.
- That titles are an easy way to avoid accountability, and that truth always trumps title.
- That there is good in every person, and when you work with people's homes, you have a higher chance of seeing that good. After all, Home is where the Heart is.
I'd be interested to hear what your teams come up with for credos, or maybe even what your personal credos are. Please email me at hblume@csi4job.com with your credos and I'll do a post devoted to them in mid summer!
Posted by Heather Blume at 4/30/2009 8:55 AM 
Categories: Stolen Sweet Schemes, Try Team-building, Clean Communication, Training Topics, Things to Think on, Bits about Me, Leading Leaders
Tags: Teambuilding Motivation
Categories: Stolen Sweet Schemes, Try Team-building, Clean Communication, Training Topics, Things to Think on, Bits about Me, Leading Leaders
Tags: Teambuilding Motivation
I have been glued to all of the writings that have been archived. And I've been in this industry for 11+ years. In all those years I've NEVER read or heard such incredible truths and what I believe are facts about our industry. It is refreshing and simply awesome to know there is someone out there who writes the things I see and feel.. and you are giving me and so many others a voice when 98% of the time we are caught up in a cyclone that never seems to die down for the most part. So many of us have a voice, but are not allowed to speak, or are afraid if we do, will we be supported? It seems that no one sits up and takes notice of the leasing staff only if we are asked for market surveys, or if corporate comes in.. to be sure you know what the occupancy is and how many leases we have for the week. My experience has been where we know more of what is going to happen and where the markets are shifting that those in the corporate areas of management. For us it was the leasing who suggested we take a certain direction and try certain things, even eerily predicting the shifts that have affected us these past 2 yrs. This is not a corporate or management bashing session. I just know that all too often we feel like Matchstick men. And titles and positions so often get in the way of getting to know and listening to the people who are on the forefront of this industry everyday.
These days, it is truly hard to find dedicated Employers who will support and get right in there with their people. These are lessons for me, and I take them serious, because I know the day I become a manager/employer I will have a different view of myself and employees, because we are all working toward the same goal, same vision. That's a scarce thing these days. We need to get back to the basics. Instead of thinking of numbers and revenue.. we need to start thinking of team work and TRULY start caring about our residents needs and retention. I'm fortunate to have known at least 2 Generals in the industry who really rallied and believed, and would get in there with their people, even if picking up trash on the grounds or staying a little late because a residents guest is accidentally locked out. We learn leadership quality and traits from the top and it flows down to us. How sad it is that quality is cheapened and seems plagues this industry that way. I like a kick in the rump every once in a while. It keeps us on or toes and is good for the ego to get some schooling. I'm glad and so appreciative of someone who is very grounded and sees this industry for all the good, the excuses we bring.. and tell ourselves sometimes, all the truths, facts and fallacy's, and shifts of change that come with it. Truth always sets us free. :)
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Dear Lili-
Thank you for such wonderful compliments! 11 years is a LONG lifespan in property management, so congratulations for your tenacity and devotion to the job. I'm glad that you've been enjoying the site, and it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who puts a high value in those hard working on site employees. The job that on site people do is mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting each and every day. They're the filling in a conflict sandwich between management and the search for more NOI, and their residents, who refuse to accept a rent increase lying down. Not an easy place to be.
The minor reboot in the economy has helped a lot of Americans re-prioritize, and I'm one such person. I love the multifamily industry, but I believe that there is ALWAYS room for improvement, and especially in an industry where we've made both employees and customers feel as disposable as Kleenex. People are the most important part of what we do, in any job, and it's nice to know that there's an audience who agrees with me!
Thanks so much for your comment! Keep up the great work and keep pushing policy from the bottom to the top! And if you make it through this blog and still want more, check out my other information and writing and vlogs at www.btldconsulting.com
-Heather
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