How often do you move away from the "result" of the day and evaluate your "process" for the day? Is there a line outside your office all day long? Are you exhausted? Are you leading by empowerment with a constant focus on growth? Are you the designated "problem solver"? Are you micro-managing? Maybe a little bit of all of the above? Maybe you don’t know, because you jump on the treadmill when you walk in the office and jump off the treadmill when the day is done.

You need a self-evaluation process to recognize how you are leading out your office.

Here are the three leadership styles; which category do you fall in?

Family-style:

1. This manager operates in a family-style relationship with the agents.

2. Constant interaction with agents.

3. Engagement with everything that takes place in the office.

4. Creates a dependent relationship with the agents.

5. Agents are inspired by the closeness (the family unit).

6. Leader gets to fix problems, detracting from the empowerment process.

7. Great place to work!

8. No vision, no growth.

Standard bearer:

1. Leader operates from rules and systems.

2. Leader enforces the rules and systems, top down environment.

3. Standards are set and maintained.

4. Everyone is focused on the rules.

5. No autonomy in the environment creating a feeling of micro-management.

6. Inability for agents to realize their potential.

7. No vision, no growth.

Culture club:

1. Leader has vision.

2. Leader enrolls the agents into the vision and purpose of the office.

3. Alignment takes place as agents become advocates of the vision and contribute to the growth of the office and support of the leader.

4. Vision extends out beyond the financial gain of the agents and the company.

5. When an agent or situation occurs that does not align with the vision, the "culture" polices itself.

6. The leader can stimulate further growth by extending the vision.

7. The office becomes an attractive place for people to work.

8. Growth, growth, growth.

Which category sounds most like your leadership style?

Which category would you like to operate in?

Take action, install vision, gain alignment and experience growth.

Published: October 20, 2004

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Jon Cheplak, ABR,GRI,CRS,CRB,CLHMS is the Founder of The Real Estate Recruiters, The Management and Recruiting Solutions Experts. Jon consults, coaches, and hosts retreats for brokers, owners, and managers internationally, supporting leaders in their growth and profitability strategies and tactics. He can be reached at 775-846-5748 or email him at recruit@therealestaterecruiters.com. Visit his website at www.therealestaterecruiters.com.